WORTH A SECOND LOOK

Season One

Chapter One

Hoy, andyan na si Sir! someone yelled.

There was a commotion as everybody rushed to get back to their seats Kanya kanyang tulakan para makarating sa upuan agad; habang yung iba todo hanap ng mapapagtaguan ng balat ng kinakain nila. Bawal kasi ang kumain pag class hours, pero sa klaseng ito, walang bawal-bawal lalo na pag gutom.

Ngunit dahil Homeroom time na at any minute now eh parating na ang adviser nila, heto sila at nagpapakabait, dahil alam nilang hindi sila kukunsintehin ni Sir Mar. As everyone settled down and tried to look innocent, the classroom door opened.

A stocky, big-bellied man entered, looking serious and composed. As usual. Tumingin tingin siya sa mga estudyante niya, as though spotting something wrong with their all-too-angelic expressions.

Guys, if you think na napapaniwala niyo ko sa saintly act niyo, youre very mistaken. Lalo nat nangangamoy ang sky flakes.

Natawa naman ang mga estudyante ng Fourth Year Integrity sa sinabi niya.

Anyway, andito nga pala ako kasi may gagawin tayong importante.

Taasan ang mga kilay. Ano nga naman kaya yun?

Ano ba. Palitan na ng seating arrangement. Say your tearful goodbyes!

Oh, tumayo na kayo anong hinihintay niyo? sabi ni Sir Mar. Tayo naman silang lahat, at nagsimula na si Sir na magtawag ng mga pangalan

Rias POV:

Kanina pa akong nakatayo dito, and my muscles were seizing up due to a lack of movement. Ano ba naman yan, anong petsa na, hindi pa ako tinatawag Pati braso ko nangangalay na. On my left arm were my books, on the other was my bag, which was still half-open, nakalimutan ko nang i-zipper. Tiningnan ko yung mga hindi pa natatawag yung mga taong most likely na makakatabi ko

I saw Maffy, my best friend, standing at the very end of the line. She smiled at me and I did the same, hoping na sana, siya na lang ang makatabi ko.

Ria.

Po? Dun ka. Third row sa may aisle.

Tumango ako to acknowledge that I had understood; tapos pumunta na ako sa bago kong upuan.

Angelo take the seat beside Ria.

One of the jocks in class went and carried his bag with him. Tiningnan ko siya as he passed by I wondered how the next quarter would go. Wala akong kahit anong idea kung anong klaseng tao si Angelo pero dahil popular siya sa campus, I didnt think too well of him, or any of his other peers for that matter. Ayoko sa grupo nila, ang yayabang kasi, wala naming maipagmamalaki. Mga gwapo nga, ang tatamad naman, minsan sobrang slow pa. Well, ayoko talaga sa kanila maliban siguro sa isa, yung kababata ko, si Liam.

Nag-creak yung upuan sa tabi ko, cutting into my thoughts. When I looked, he smiled at me. Ngumiti din ako para hindi naman masabing bastos ako.

Paano ba yan. Kopyahan tayo ha? sabi niya sa akin in a low voice.

I went like, HUH? Was he expecting me to laugh? Kakaloka naman. Sa lahat ng seatm mate na pwedeng i-assign sa akin, ito pa? Wala na nga ang kwenta humirit, nangongopya pa? Sheesh. Napakasw werte ko nga naman.

Angelos POV:

Man, was that a laugh?

Ang wirdo naman ng buhay kahit ka ailan. Honestly, that was my best attempt at being frie endly. Darn, I dont get girls!

Hmm, hindi naman pala lahat But as its Ria Antonio well, I shou uldnt have expected anything less.

She was known for being hardcore-ssuplada. Especially sa mga friends ko. Ayaw niya sa a amin, ewan ko ba. Kahit sa mga girls na sikat sa campus, masu ungit siya. Ang labo, eh kung tutuusin, sikat din naman n siya dito. Ay, never mind. Aamo rin yan.

I just slumped my arms and put my y face right in it, feeling extremely sleepy. Napuyat akko o kagabi kakalaro ng RO with my friends. Nag-away kasi kam mi ni Elle, at ang pinayo nila saken maglaro at i-vent a ang frustrations ko sa computer. It worked naman, coz by 2 am, I completely forgot about Elle. My friends reall ly do know their remedies IBA NA NGA PAG EXPERI IENCED. May sinasabi si Sir Mar pero hindi na a ako nakinig. Wala namang tulong sa buhay ang mga a tinuturo nila. Siguro kung magtuturo sila kung paano tra atuhin ang mga clingy girlfriends, makikinig ako. But o otherwise

Nako, grabe na ang antok ko AMP. M May isang subject pa Physics Kelangan ng pampa g gising Makapag chewing gum nga. Wala kasing kape, kaya gum ang pa ampagising ko...

Napatingin ako sa bago kong katabi.. Nagbabasa siya ng Physics book wow. Napaka-wor rthwhile. Alukin ko kaya ng gum? Baka sakali.

Gum? I offered.

Chapter Two

Angelos POV:

Gum? I offered.

Tiningnan niya ako na para bang ininnsulto ko siya sa nasabi ko. Tinaasan niya rin ako ng kilay...

Were not allowed to chew gum m in class, she said coldly.

Wala pa naman tayong teacher..

Kahit na. Shes due to come any y minute now. Helpfully, our P.R.O. (aka taga-ttawag ng teachers) chose that moment to announce:

CLASSMATES! Wala daw si Maa am Pearlie!

Napangiti ako as I watched her facia al expression change. She rolled her eyes, na para banng it was a gesture of admitting defeat. What she did next t shocked me to no end.

Thanks, she said, breaking into a a wide smile. kinuha niya yung isang gum na nasa kam may ko, tas binuksan niya.

Bazooka? Brilliant, I havent ha ad one of these in ages,

she said, finally crump pling the wrapper up. Grabe, parang bata pala tong taong g to. Natuwa ba naman sa bubble gum?

I thought iit would take more than that para mapaamo si Ria. May kaba abawan din pala siyang nalalaman. Akalain mo yun? Saan mo nabibili yan? I though ht kasi phased-out na yan sa groceries, she askedd me, still chewing.

Sa kapitbahay naming tindahan n. Phased out? Talaga?

I just heard. But I never found out if it was true I havent been to the grocery y lately.

Ria, pwede favor? Anong favor? she asked, puzzled d. ugoilongkoeh. .Angcuteniya.Bungisngiserapalatoeh.NapatinginWag ka na mag-english. Dinudu Sige ba, she replied, giggling n ako sa binabasa niya

Speed,velocity, acceleration, at kungg ano ano pa. Lalo yatang duduguin ang ilong ko. Bakit mo binabasa yan? I askedd her.

Ha? Di mo ba narinig si Maam PPearlie kahapon? Sabi niya may quiz daw tayo n nhindi naman tayo sinipot

Makikinig ako? Hah. Tingin m mo ba ako yung tipong nakikinig sa mga ganun?

Bakit naman hindi. Pero someh how hindi ka ba natatakot na bumagsak?

Sus, kahit naman nakikinig ako o, hindi ko rin naman naiintindihan. gayon. Eh kaso nga

Wow, napakaoptimistic mo nam man. Eto, she said, putting the book on my desk, T Tuturuan kita. Rias POV: His face registered an expression of both bewilderment and apprehension, but he was try ying to smile as he

scratched his head.

Ah eh wala ako sa mood ma ag-physics eh. Wala nga si Maam Pearlie, ikaw n naman pumalit?

Ano ka ba, madali lang to. Prom mise! Ganito lang yan oh, kasi ang speed and I I went on talking; Gelo did not protest. (well, its not like he ha ad a choice. ) To my delight, he was actually listeniing to me, with his face screwed up in concentration to comp prehend what I was saying, then after a couple of min nutes, he opened his mouth to interrupt.

Wait, mali, he said. I looked at h him.

Huh?

Two thousand three hundred fiffty-two kilometers divided by forty-nine seconds s, diba? Bakit thirty- nine kilometers per second lang?? Dapat forty-eight diba? he said all these very qu uickly. I got amazed and I

could not help but stare. Diba? he repeated, almost with a a puppy dog pout.

Oo nga. Ang bilis mo naman ma ag-compute,

I said. He smiled.

Parang sira naman itong physic cs book natin naturingang may doctorate degre ee yung author mali mali naman yung example na co omputation Why are you giggling? he demandedd.

Wala. Natatawa lang ako. Oh, I I thought you didnt want to speak in English? I asked him. Saying I dont want to doesnt m mean I cant, he snapped. I was quite taken ab back. Pa-moody effect si kumag.

Pikon.

Hindi ako pikon.

Eh bakit nagalit ka agad? I said d, fighting the urge to laugh.

Tinatawanan mo kasi ako, ano bbang tingin mo saken, illiterate?

Whoa, whoa dude, I didnt sa ay that.

Implied but not stated.

Fine, Im sorry! I finally said. Th he expression of his face was infathomable. And then

Galing ko umarte noh? he ssaid, the ends of his boyish grin almost reaching his e ears. At that moment, I could have given anything to punch him.

Umayos ka nga!

Sorry na po.

Mukha mo! I said, turning back t to my physics book.

Wah pikon Aww, shes gonna cry na!

Shut up, Gelo. Fine. Ano, meryenda tayo mamaaya? My treat.I looked at him, almost unable to bel mlieve that I was sitting with Angelo Fontanilla, laughing, havving fun, and now being invited to merienda, na akala a mo naman ang tagal na naming magkakilala. I thought for a a moment and shrugged.

"Sige ba."

Chapter Three (A)

Angelos POV: RIIIINNNNGGGG!!!

Dismissal time! I ducked and got th he books under my chair, choosing the ones I think I s should bring home. I never really read at home, and since thhere arent new lessons yet (hello?! Halos kakastart la ang ng third quarter!) I decided to just chuck everything in nside my locker, leaving nothing to put in my bag. I cl losed my bag and stacked my books untidily on my desk.

Gelo, I heard Ria say.

Ano? I asked, facing her. She wa as going to take our physics book home. Poor thing, hhe er idea of bedtime reading is Physics?!

Da adalhin mo yan pauwi? I asked incredulously.

Oo, advanced reading.

Para kang si Hermione. Ill take that as a compliment. Teka, ano nga pala yung sasabihin ko? Ayun! Isama natin si Ate Maffs.

Sige ba. Salamat! she replied, smiling widely. Natawa ako. Anong salamat? Ikaw na sasagot sa pagkain namin. Ikaw naman yung promotor. Naman eh! she said, pouting. Grabe, para talagang bata. Oo na, sige na ililibre ko na rin. Una na ko sa locker. Kita na lang sa may gate.

Saan mo ba kami ililibre?

Ok lang ba kung kay Manong Fishball na lang? I asked. I was hoping youd say that. Im in the mood for kwek kwek, she said reassuringly. I smiled at her. Sige, baba na ako. Sabihan mo na lang si Ate Maffs.

Okay.

Rias POV: Finally, I finished stacking my books neatly on my desk. I put our History, Economics and Physics book inside my bag; I havent read them in a while. Swinging my bag over my shoulder and tucking my remaining books in my arms, I looked for Ate Maffs new seat. It hadnt been that hard to locate her, though, so I was there in a heartbeat.

Ate Maffs, sama ka naman saken. Saan? she replied, not looking up; she was busy deciding if shes going to put her History book inside her bag. Dalhin mo na pauwi, we might get a surprise test tomorrow about 14th and 15th Century British Monarchs, I suggested. Shrugging, she chucked it along with her Physics textbook to join the rest of her backpacks contents. Saan tayo pupunta ulit? she asked. Meryenda daw tayo kay Manong Fishball, sagot ni Gelo. To my surprise, Maffy looked at me suspiciously, as though she didnt hear me properly. Gelo? she repeated. Yeah, Gelo. Gelo Fontanilla. I told her, wondering if shes got short term memory or Alzheimers already. Her lips curled into the smile that infuriated me most: the knowing smile, as though I have just let something slip or something. Kailan mo pa siya tinawag na Gelo? she asked me, swinging her bag over her shoulder as I had done. Kanina lang. Ano, sasama ka ba? I asked her, keen to change the subject. We started walking towards the

door.

Hindi kaya magalit sa atin si Elle niyan? she asked me. I rolled my eyes at her. Nag-init ang dugo ko nang marinig ko ang pangalan ni Elle. First day pa lang yata kaming nagkita nung kindergarten may mutual dislike na talaga. Ewan ko ba. Basta talagang hindi kami nagkasundo, kaya lagi kaming nag-aaway. But well, being the starfish that she is, barado siya palagi pag humirit na ako.

Bakit naman magagalit si Elladora? I said, putting a particular stress on the name so that it would sound as mabantot as possible. Elladora was Elles full name. Duh, theyre dating! she replied, trying not to laugh. She always cracks up when I use Elles full name. And so? Its not like were going to rape him. And for Gods sake, hes not even my type!

Language, Ria.

Sorry. Bakit? Ikaw ba? Type mo ba si Gelo? I shot at her, smirking.

Gaga. You know who I like.

Of course I do! So ano, sasama ka ba o hindi?

Well, Ria, its not like I have a choice And besides, hindi ako tumatanggi sa grasya. she told me.

Angelos POV: (lockers)

The corridors were, as usual, chaotic and crowded with students. May mga gradeschoolers pa nga na naghahabulan, nakakabangga, tapos sila pa yung galit. Kanina lang may bumangga sakin na batang hanggang bewang ko lang yata. When I turned to say sorry, the kid flashed the finger at me and ran away. Akalain mo yun? Wala pa sigurong Grade Three yung bata ang galing nang magmura (at non-vocal ha, beat that!). Man, the midgets a walking advertisement for birth control! I shook my head and realized that I was in front of my locker already. As I was fumbling for the key inside my pocket, I heard an all-too-familiar voice.

Dude! it said, and then there was Liam Woods, offering me the usual high five.

Oh, pare sino na-assign na seatmate mo? I asked him, punching his hand. Bigla siyang sumimangot.

Hay naku. Si Abby, he said, and I understood. Liam absolutely abhorred the SS members.

Ay hindi, si Zoe pala yun. Teka yun nga ba? Ewan, basta taga-SS na soooobrang arte, he said, looking absolutely displeased.

Grabe ka, maga-apat na taon na natin silang classmate, you still cant distinguish them from one another? I asked him, finally finding my key, and stuffing it on my padlock.

Ewan ko ba. Ang tingin ko kasi sa kanila magkakamukha na. Kasi naman noh, pare pareho ng ayos ng buhok, ng kakapalan ng makeup, ng bags, pati yata pabango, he said. Natawa ako ng malakas sa huli niyang sinabi.

INAAMOY MO? I almost yelled.

Tange, hindi! Well you cant blame me bro, kahit naman ikaw Im sure amoy na amoy mo pag dumadaan sila ng sabay sabay. Ang sakit kaya sa ilong! Can you imagine how much worse it is for me ngayong katabi ko na yung isa sa kanila?

Easy, bro. Ang laki pala talaga ng galit mo sa SS, I told him, still unable to make my padlock budge.

Ay sorry, nakalimutan kong SS nga pala si Elle. Speaking of whom bakit di mo siya kasama? he asked me. I continued opening my padlock as though I had not heard him.

Sh*t, dude. War na naman kayo? Again, I chose not to answer.

Thats the reason why I vowed never to date a Starfish. Well maybe not unless I want my head cracked open from stress every other day, he declared, leaning on the lockers. My padlock finally gave way. Pulling the locker open with more force than I intended, I knew I could not hold it in any longer.

Naku pare, sobrang gusto ko na kaya i-break! Natutulili ako sa boses, nabubuwisit ako kasi laging late sa usapan namin, daig pa ang b bangkay sa funeraria sa kapal ng makeup, tapos s ang daldal! Ang gusto magkuwento ka kahit pago od ka or wala sa mood. Pag hindi ka nagkwento, nakalimutan mong tumawag, hindi ka nag-goodnighht sa text, giyera na. At kamo, mas malakas pan ng uminom kaysa saken. Sabihin mo nga saken, Gawain b ba ng matinong babae yun?! I told him, seething, throwing a book inside my locker with each complaint. Liam was close to laughing, but out of brotherly respect he e restrained himself from doing it, a although it looked like it was taking him a lot of effort. .

Wow, dude. Alam mo, pag nag g-collaborate tayo, we can hit millions with a bes stseller. REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDNT DATE A STARF FISH. Naku, talo nun si Dan Brown sa New York T Times, he said, his eyes glinting. I rolled my eyes at him.

Tan ng*na naman pare. Seryoso ako eh! I hissed.

Ako rin naman ah. Were talkin ng about a fantastic sum of money, dude. Its gon nna sell like pancakes if the customers learn that one o of the authors have first-hand experience. When do we start? he asked eagerly.

Ewan ko sayo. Isulat mo mag-isa kung gusto mo, I said, walkin ng away.

Chill out pare, I was kidding! I sdeep him a sharp look as he offered ano other high five.

Sama ka samin magmeryenda?

Naku, hindi pwede dude. Naghhihintay si Jill sa labas. I looked at him, puzzled, ccarefully phrasing what I wanted to say next.

Jill? I repeated.

Oo, bakit? he asked.

Akala ko your girlfriends nam me was Winona? I asked him. It caught him off guaard, then he slapped his forehead.

Oh Sh*t! I always mix names up!

Bah hala ka nga dyan. Sige na pare, una na ako.

Wait, , I heard you say sa amin. Sino kasama mo?

Si Ria saka si Maffy.

Ah, ganun ba? Sige, baka sum munod ako, he said, then he turned and went towa ards the opposite direction.

Chapter Three (B)

Maffys POV:

We were already in the school quad drangle, and people were walking and running all arou und us. I was texting when I heard Ria laugh.

Whats funny? I asked her. Sinu undan ko ng tingin yung tinitingnan niya si Irish. The e ring leader of the SS who shares the title with Elle was stand ding nearby, seemingly in deep conversation with her alipores. Irish was also a spoiled brat, and as far as Im c concerned, its absolutely hard to decide kung sino sa kanila ni Elle ang mas nakakairita. Pero kahit ganun, m mabait naman sila sa akin. Pinapabayaan ko na lang an ng mga kalokahan nila. Katabi mo siya diba? she asked me, wearing her familiar evil grin.

Oo. Sus, pagtiya-tiyagaan ko na. Total isang quarter lang naman. Kaya mo siyang tiisin ng ganun katagal? she asked me disbelievingly, her eyes wide. Bakit naman? Besides, theres nothing I can do, I told her.

Saludo na talaga ako sayo Ate Maffs. Saludo ka diyan. Huwaaaah! Huhuhuhu. I said, faking a big crying tantrum. Sa kakatawa ni Ria, napa-snort siya na parang baboy. Natawa na rin tuloy ako.

RIA! ATE MAFFY! someone yelled in the crowd. We both turned and saw Gelo half-walking, half-running towards us.

Ui, youre just in time!

Just in time ka dyan. Kanina ko pa kayo hinahanap.

Lul! Nakita ka namin sa may lockers kausap mo si Liam, I said, scolding him.

All right, nabuko na ako Oh, bakit parang nag make up pa kayo, eh kay Manong Fishball lang naman tayo pupunta? he said.

Hindi noh, maganda lang talaga kami. Hoy Gelo ha, ang lakas lakas mong mang-asar, sa fishball stand mo lang naman kami ililibre.

Hay, sigurado naman mapapamahal ako kahit mura lang ang tinda niya, sa inyong dalawa pa lang, mapapakyaw na yung tinda niya.

Ang kapal mo! said Ria, tapos pinalo niya si Gelo sa braso.

Ok lang yan, mapapasaya mo naman si Manong Fishball. Biruin mo, dahil sa inyong dalawa malilipat yung entire contents ng wallet ko sa wallet niya? Its a noble cause, you know! replied Gelo. I laughed and went so I can slap his arm too, but Ria got there first.

Aray... Ria Aray ko ARAY KO NAMAN RIA, ANG PINO MO MANGUROT! said Gelo, his face contorted; madiin talagang kumurot si Ria.

Oops, sorry, I got carried away. Hala, namula?

Ikaw kasi eh! Pasa na naman to!

Ay, sorry na oh

Sadista ka!

I trailed behind a little bit so I can watch them. Ang cute nila, sweet sila ng hindi nila nalalaman. Patingin nga, said Ria, carefully placing her hand on the red spot on his arm.

Ayan oh, ang sakit kaya aray naman! Dahan dahan lang kasi! Sorry naman! Ay wawa si Gelo Grabe ang nipis ng balat mo.

Syempre balat Kastila ako noh! Mestizo! Kaya sensitive!

Hindi manipis ang balat mo, talaga lang madiin mangurot si Ria.

Asus, inggit ka lang Ate Maffs.

Edi ikaw na nga foreigner.

Inggit ka lang, balat kalabaw ka kasi! Aba! Gelo? said Ria in a dangerously sweet voice, Gusto mo kurutin kita uli?

Ay, hindi, sige ayoko Gelo retorted in a falsely angelic voice. He looked positively frightened. Sige na hindi na kita aasarin Now do me a favor and get as far as you can from me...

All right, said Ria. Grabe ang cute talaga nila, parang si Justin at si Jessie.

Ayun, in a few seconds andun na kami kay Manong fishball. Nakipagsiksikan kami doon, kasi ang daming tao.

Tatlong kwek kwek nga Kuya, said Gelo. Tatlong piraso? said Manong Fishball. Gelo looked at us exasperatedly and scratched his head. Kuya naman, tatlong order. Manong fishball simply smiled, chuckling at his own joke. Parang sira talaga tong si Manong, may sariling mundo. Tahimik naman si Ria at si Gelo, yung isa nagtetext, yung isa tinitingnan yung arm niya, kung saan visible pa rin yung spot na kinurot ni Ria. Maya maya ok na yung kwek kwek namin, sinerve na ni Manong Fishball.

O Ria, alam ko gutom ka na, dahan dahan ha? Baka sa katakawan mo mapaso ka, said Gelo naughtily, momentarily forgetting his kurot. Wow, nakaka-touch naman ang concern mo, kahit roughly phrased. Eto sawsawan Ate Maffs oh, said Ria, after pouring some of the sawsawan on her kwek kwek. Bakit ako hindi mo binibigyan? said Gelo. At nagpakyut pa ang kumag. Kasi may sawsawan naman dyan sa tabi mo, Ria snapped, stuffing a whole quail egg into her mouth.

My God, Ria. I didnt think you could get any lower. There you are, snacking on kwek kwek like some cheap squatter, even eating it whole Kadiri ah? said a voice that pissed me to no end. I turned sharply to find myself face to face with Elle Reyes herself, with Irish and Denise on either side of her, all three of them looking daggers at my best friend, who looked absolutely oblivious to what she has just heard.

Ango ba ngausap ngo? said Ria, her words indiscernible because she was talking with her mouth full. I thought she had done it on purpose to irk Elle, but I figured out that she didnt her mouth was just really full. Well, siguro that gives her an advantage, shes not on the losing side

Yuck, youre so proving it konting table manners naman, Ria? Or baka naman hindi ka talaga tinuruan? Elle hissed, with one of her brows arched. Ria finished chewing her kwek kwek and looked calmly at Elle.

Wala naman kayang table dito, Ria pointed out. I laughed, but could see an Elle tantrum coming up. It was time to intervene.

Elle, kumain ka na lang, gutom lang yan.

Eeeww! I dont eat kwek kwek, yuck, magka-hepa pa ako noh? Oh, andyan ka pala Gelo. Did you see where my boyfriends gone? Elle asked, turning to Gelo instead. He chose not to react. Ang daming taong tumingin sa amin pagkatapos ng sinabi ni Elle. Grabe, anak mayaman na palingkera malamang pinagtinginan talaga.

Did you hear me? Tinatanong kita, hoy! Wag kang bastos. Fine, sige, let me just ask another question Why do you think my boyfriend ditched me to have a super baduy merienda with a super baduy girl? said Elle, throwing Ria a dirty look, now positively fuming. Kulang na lang mamula siya sa galit.

Ria, its time to go, I whispered.

Siguro kasi mas tolerable ang baduy kaysa sa maarte, I heard Gelo say. Ria, who had been acting as though she didnt hear Elle, finally sensed the tension. She pulled out her wallet and brought out a 20 peso note. But before she could hand it to Manong fishball, Gelo pulled her hand.

No, treat ko to diba? Sige umuwi na kayo, he told us. Elle was looking at their hands, fuming more than ever. Ria pulled her hand from his, and with a last nod from Gelo, we left without another word.

Chapter Four

Angelos POV:

Takte. Napahiya sina Ria at Maffy dahil saken. Sa amin. Hindi tama yun, pati sila nadamay sa kadramahan ni Elle. That was the last straw, ayoko na. Elle is a hopeless case; I had been foolish to assume na ako ang makakapagpabago sa kanya. I brought out my wallet to pay.

Ulitin mo nga yung sinabi mo kanina, Angelo, said Elle. I looked at her, amused.

Wow. Hindi ko akalain ako pala ang makakapagpatuwid ng dila mo, I said, tapos inabot ko yung sinkwenta pesos ko kay Manong Fishball. Tago mo na yung sukli, Kuya, I told him while he was fumbling to find change; I did not wish to remain there any longer. Masyado nang maraming attention ang napunta sa akin ngayong araw na to.

Hoy! Pilosopo! Bastos ka! Dont you make talikod when Im talking to you! I ignored her and started to walk away. Hey, come back here! Were not done yet! she screeched. I stopped in my tracks, faced her, at ngumiti nang pang-asar: I put on my most awful smirk.

Oh, talaga? As far as Im concerned, were over and done with, Elle. Done.

With that I left. She shouted and shouted but I didnt care. Hindi ako ang napapahiya kundi siya. Somebody caught up with me it was Liam.

Wow, dude. Pwede mo ipa-copyright yun ah, he said. He was clutching his left cheek, which looked red, parang kakalapat lang ng sampal.

What happened to you? I asked.

I called her Jill, he said shortly. I laughed. Hey, do you think Id let you make layas without something to remember me by? said a voice behind me. Curious, Liam and I turned around.

Rias POV: Nakarating kami sa street namin without talking to one another. Sobrang gusto kong lumingon kanina, pero I didnt. Naguguluhan ako sa sarili ko; I was feeling too many emotions at the moment. First was guilt. Alam kong kahit hindi ako yung nag-aya, it was still my fault kasi sumama ako. Dagdag pa yung fact na hindi ko pinansin yung sinabi ni Maffy. Sana nakinig na lang ako. STUPID ME! >.< At ayun na nga. If they break up, Ill be the one to take the blame.

And here comes shame. Sobrang nakakahiya yung nangyari kanina. Ako yung lumabas na mangaagaw. At hindi lang yun, sinigurado ni Elle that no one would forget it in a hurry. Grabe, what the heck ano kaya ang mukhang ihaharap ko sa kanila bukas?

But the feeling that boggles my mind the most is. Yun. The one I felt when Gelo pulled my hand. Ewan, ano ba yun? It did send it shivers up my spine. Sh.t! Kilig ba yun? My God, NO!!! Hindi pwede!

No. No! Im not kinikilig. Im not Im not Im not!

Ria sino kausap mo? Maffy asked me. I looked at her. Man, was I saying all of that aloud?!

Wala, Ate Maffs. Im just ehrm. Singing I said. Sheesh, that was just about the lamest excuse I came up with!

Fortunately, she didnt push it further. But what was I thinking? Syempre hindi ako kinikilig noh?! Bakit naman ako kikiligin kay Angelo Fontanilla? Eew! Kakasabi ko nga lang na hindi ko siya type eh! Sheesh, how could I have possibly thought na kikiligin ako dun?! Hes a jock, hes lazy, hes

Ria!

What?!

Isnt Isnt that Jonathan?! Maffy said, pointing to a guy sitting in front of our house. He was wearing our school uniform, his hair was ruffled, and his collar is turned up Yes, there was no mistaking Jonathan Figueroa.

But whats he doing here? And I couldnt see why Maffy sounded so upset, but before I could ask she had broke into a sprint towards him. I followed her, and saw what had gotten Maffys knickers in a twist Jon was smoking again.

Jonathans POV:

As I blew that first puff of smoke I had in weeks, I knew Id be a complete liar if I said I didnt miss it. It brings me to a one-of-a-kind high that makes me forget everything with the clouds of smoke that come out of my mouth, there also goes my troubles, vanishing into thin air, just like that. I liked the sensation; there was nothing like it. Numbing myself from all those pains for a while doesnt hurt. The drawback is that its a lot, lot worse when I am finally forced to face it.

I was in front of my cousins house, my only refuge during times like these. They treated me like their own; something my mother hasnt managed to do properly since the day I was born. Hardly feeling the love that she says she has for me, I grew up cold and distant from her. We hardly got along well. She left me with Nanay (her mother) when I was barely a year old, saying she has to go abroad to work and to avoid all the rumors that had come up when she got pregnant with me; see, she was very young (not a year more than nineteen), and naturally those nosy people labeled my mom as a disgraced sl*t. My father wanted to marry her but Nanay got in the way, saying she does not want any more damage to the familys reputation. But didnt she think that Id be the one to suffer, the innocent, fatherless b*stard? My father, though, insisted that he wants me to use his surname. Nanay agreed, but my father was forbidden from seeing me ever again.

The family I knew and trusted were the ones who lived inside the house behind me. I hardly had friends; but then again who would want to be friends with me? Hah. I knew only one person who ever wanted to do such, and that was Ria. I wondered how she could put up with my stupidity. Maybe she just has the patience and understanding of five people put together I mean, how else would she be able to put up with me and Denise at the same time? Then theres Maffy. Everyones friend, yes, she could tell everyone that were friends without ever having the desire to throw up. Shes one of the sincerest people I know, but sometimes she could get a tad too concerned. I can almost see in my head how shed react once she sees me sitting here, smoking again She looks angry, and shes running towards me and shes going to remove my yosi out of my mouth.

Whoa, turns out I was not imagining it after all someone had appeared out of nowhere and she had just pulled the poor little white stick off. Not content with that, she crushed it with her foot.

What the hell, Jonathan?! I thought weve talked about this already!

Im sorry, Maffy. Wont happen again, I muttered, standing up, for I felt stupid sitting there while shes watching. Shes seen enough of my not-so-glamorous moments (not that I intended her to see those), but sana hindi na madagdagan yun kasi ayokong maalala niya ko as just a drunkard and a chain smoker. Oh, I meant ex- chain smoker.

Thats what you said the last time I caught you! she said. I was touched but she was mollycoddling me too much.

That was three weeks ago, Maffy, I pointed out. Fortunately, Ria caught up with us.

Jon, were you and your Mom fighting again? Kaya ka nag-smoke? she asked. Bingo, the magic question. I knew she was going to save the day.

Well, yeah, I told her, watching Maffy, who was clearly struggling to keep her face stern, but her efforts proved futile as her expression softened.

Dito na lang ako kakain, ha Ria? I said. I hated how pathetic I sounded. But Im not going to go home, not now.

Oo naman, kaysa naman sa tindahan kita makita na kainuman yung mga tambay, she told me. We heard footsteps and saw Denise running towards us. Grabe, hanggang pagtakbo, maarte pa rin.

Ria! she gasped, stopping in front of us to catch her breath. Kung bakit kasi kailangang tumakbo?

What the hell were you thinking -kanina? she asked in between sharp intakes of breath. Ayan na naman siya sa Taglish niya. Kainis pakinggan. Ibang iba na siya ngayon, sobrang naninibago ako. The three of us literally watched each other grew up, so Id say I had a pretty good idea of who Denise Lopez was as a person. But that was before she met Elle Reyes and the rest of those Starfish girls kaya ngayon hindi na rin ako close sa kanya. I looked at her with dislike.

What are you talking about? I asked her.

Ria didnt do anything wrong, Denise, said Maffy.

Hanessly, Ria, making landi with Gelo? I didnt except you could get so insensitive, the guy has a girlfriend kaya?!

You mean expect? Maffy asked, with a trace of derision in her voice.

Gelo? Sinong Gelo? I asked, totally lost.

Kanina! She was eating with Angelo Fontanilla, the boyfriend of my friendship Elle, in that cheap and uber kadiri kwek kwek stand. Because of that, Elle and Gelo made away, and Gelo brook up with her! AND-

Huh?! They broke up?! Ria asked, looking guilty.

I was with them, so I couldnt see why Elle had to make a whole load of bull crap about that! Maffy said heatedly. Denise, its not Rias fault na masyadong malisyosa si Elle. Honestly I dont blame Angelo for doing that, Elle is-

STOP! said Denise dramatically, holding up her hand palm so that she looked like a traffic aid with too much make-up.

Ill say what I want to say about Elle, Denise, I said coolly.

Hindi. Tama si Elle, Ria, hindi ka dap-"

Stop taking the crap out of Ria, Denise, if you dont want me to take it out of you, warned Maffy.

But Elle said-"

Elle ka na nang Elle! Leche, you call yourself Ria's best friend? Eh mas kinakampihan mo pa yung Elle na yun kaysa kay Ria Parang si Elle ang nagpapakain sayo ah!

Thats enough, Jon! said Ria. She had always been keen to be polite about the fact that it was her parents who were shouldering Denises expenses.

But Jon, Im not making her kampi

Tigilan mo nga yang Taglish mo, mukha kang tanga, I said. Denise opened her mouth to talk but no sound came out. She cried, stormed away and went into the house. That was below the belt, Jonathan, Ria told me. No, it wasnt. It served her just right, said Maffy, whom I have never seen as angry as she was right now.

Look, Im touched with both of you taking my side and all, pero hindi niyo dapat ginanon si Denise.

Mas lalo yatang hindi ka niya dapat awayin ng dahil lang sa Elle na yun, I pointed out. "Sige Ria, sanayin mo, i-tolerate mo, kaya namimihasa eh," Maffy said heatedly. Lets just forget it. Elle isnt worth this, nag-aaway away tayo dahil sa kanya. Tara na nga, Ria said, and we just went inside. Sinalubong kami ni Tita Elize sa living room.

Ano nangyari sa inyo? Bakit mga sambakol yung mga mukha niyo? she asked.

Nothing, Mom, just teenage crap, Ria replied, planting a kiss on her mothers cheek. Maffy and I did the same after her.

Ma, dito na lang sila kakain ha?

Oo naman. Si Liam kasama niyo ba? Hindi po, bakit?

Binilin siya sakin ng mommy niya, dito rin siya mag-dinner.

Bakit, nasaan si Tita?

Out of the country. Hintayin na natin si Liam ha? Hindi pa rin naman luto yung ulam.

"Ok," the three of us said in chorus.

Rias POV:

The three of us were watching TV, but my mind wasnt on the movie we were watching on HBO. Naawa ako kay Denise kanina, feeling niya siguro pinagkaisahan namin siya. Pero nasaktan din ako na inaaway niya na naman ako nang dahil kay Elle. I was her best friend, after all, so why was she being a b*tch? Nakakainis. But as the movie droned on, I was starting to forget Denise Liam suddenly crossed my mind and I wondered where on earth was he. Seconds were turning into minutes, and in two hours I was getting fidgety. Seven-thirty PM na where the hell is Liam?! I stood up and as if on cue, the doorbell rang. I was first to run outside. I bolted the gate open and let him in.

Saan ka ba nagpunta?! Kanina ka pa namin hinihintay ah? Akala mo ba

Galing akong clinic. Kaso nakarating pa ako ng hospital, said Liam, who looked unusually gloomy.

Hospital? Bakit anong nangyari sayo?! I asked.

Hindi ako. Si Gelo.

Chapter Five

Liams POV:

Hindi ako. Si Gelo. Oh myAnong nangyari sa kanya? Ria asked me, her voice high and shrill. She looked so worried, which is funny kasi ilang oras pa lang silang close. If the situation hadnt been serious, I wouldve laughed at her.

It was Elle, she lost her temper. Kinuha niya yung kawali ni Manong Fishball na puno ng kumukulong mantika, lumapit sa amin then she aimed the contents at us. Buti nakailag si Gelo, kundi his face would have gotten the full blast of it pero hindi pa rin, naabot pa rin yung more than half ng left forearm niya. Ayun, I brought him to the clinic, where he was given first aid. Kaso sabi ng nurse kailangan na daw dalhin sa hospital kasi his burns need much more advanced medications. Ok na si Gelo, nakauwi na siya. Tumatawa pa nga si g*go, malayo naman daw sa atay, I finished, remembering how incredibly well had Gelo handled the situation. Ria was shaking her head. Grabe si Elle.

Oo. Shes a psycho Im serious, she needs a fix. Ganoon kasamang magalit? Hindi na normal yun diba? I asked her. She was looking into empty space, in deep thought. Dumating sina Maffy and Jonathan at syempre kinailangan kong ulitin sa kanila yung kwento. Kung anong tahimik ni Ria, siyang dami nilang tanong. Has she been reported sa Admin? Maffy asked.

Well, technically speaking none of us had to do that. The Assistant Principal was passing by the moment na halos ihagis ni Elle sa amin yung kawali. Last thing I heard, shell be facing suspension not less than two weeks.

Serves her right. Grabe, ang sakit nun ah. Daig niya pa Crispy Pata, Jonathan said. I laughed but stopped at the look on Rias face.

Ano ka ba, ok na si Gelo. Masakit nga lang daw talaga pero apart from the pain ok lang daw siya. Pinapasabi niya wag mag-worry, I told Ria, but she didnt look reassured. Alalang alala talaga siya, and I felt a twinge of annoyance as I watched her na hindi ko maintindihan kung saan ba nanggaling. Parang hindi naman kasi siya ganyan mag-worry. Naiisip ko tuloy, kung ako kaya yung napaso, ganito rin kaya siya madi-distraught? Hindi kaya gusto niya si Gelo?

Ngek, ano ba naman yung pinag-iiisip ko. Concerned lang yung tao, hindi lang kay Gelo, pati sa akin. Nawala yung annoyance ko when I do think and remember how she had yelled at me pagkabukas niya ng gate. Oo, concerned rin siya sa akin. Natuwa naman ako. But of course, shes supposed to be worried and concerned about me, were friends!

We had dinner, and we were all quiet. Dati, during times like these, ang gulo-gulo namin, siguro kaya ganito kasi nandoon si Denise. Naiinis ako sa presence nung Starfish wannabe na yun, but I felt that I wasnt the only one who was feeling that way. Hindi na ako nagtanong kung anong nangyari, kasi siguro kaya ganun eh sa kanila ibinunton ni Denise yung sama ng loob niya kanina. Paano ba naman kasi, pati si Denise minumura ni Elle kanina, even saying she comes from a family of sl*ts with no manners. In spite of myself, naawa ako kay Denise. Shes maarte but I dont think na kasing-lala siya nung ibang SS members na kulang na lang mag all out sa mga parties na pinupuntahan nila every other night. Ibang klaseng pressure ang pinaparamdam sa kanya ng friends ni Elle, pero ang hindi ko naman maintindihan eh kung bakit ipinipilit niya pa yung sarili niya doon, eh panay panlalait, insulto and kung ano ano pa ang inaabot niya kina Elle at Irish araw-araw.

I knew that the reason why theyre doing it is that shes Rias cousin, kasi they heartily disliked Ria for being as popular as they are and for refusing to be a part of their clique. Pero unfair naman kasi kay Denise yun. Lahat na lang ginagawa nung tao para tanggapin siya pero until now wala, futile pa rin yung efforts niya. Pero hindi ko masisi ang SS, kasi sa totoo lang nakakabwisit yung pagiging TH ni Denise. Yung pagta-taglish, na mali naman ang words at kadalasan mismong yung sentence eh walang sense, at yung pagpipilit niyang sumali sa cheerleaders kahit mukha naman siyang kalansay na sobrang tigas sumayaw. (She could even pass for Kim Chiu in that wretched commercial.)

Hay naku, biruin mong lahat ng yun eh napapansin ko?! Ayun sa kakaisip ko ng kung ano-ano nakarating na ako ng bahay namin, andun na pala ako sa kwarto ko. Napatingin ako sa bedside table.

Ang daming pictures doon, kasama ng bunton ng mga books na nakakalat lang doon pictures ni Mommy, Daddy, ng bangag kong kuya na si Toff, si Maffy, si Jon Si Ate Danna na ate ni

I got hold of the picture that showed me and Ria pulling stupid faces at the camera, which was taken last year sa intrams. Parang ang saya saya, but then again, masayahin naman talaga yun. Matagal na kaming magkakilala. I could still remember the first time I saw her, kakalipat lang namin sa tabi ng bahay nila.

*flashback

Mommy!!! MOMMEEEEE!!!

Waah, ahaha! Nadapa! Iyakin! Hahaha! Wawa ka naman beh beh beh behlat!

Nadapa ako nun kasi na-excite ako masyadong mag-bike. Binababa at inaayos ng mga lipat bahay guys yung mga gamit kaya hindi na nila ko naintindi. Si Jonathan yung lumapit at nandidila sa akin. Saka siya dumating

Jon! Bakit ka tawa-tawa diyan?

Haha, nadapa yung bata, iyakin! Haha!

Ano ba, tulong mo!

Ayoko! Ahaha! Iyakin!!!

Si Ria yung lumapit sa akin. Naka-pigtails pa siya noon, pink shirt na may lace, ribbons tapos jumpers. Ang cute niya nga, naiimagine ko pa, napapangiti na lang ako. Pero palagay ko pag nakakita siya ng picture na ganun ang itsura niya, hindi na niya gugustuhing tingnan.

She held out her hand.

Ok ka? she asked. Hindi ako makasagot. Singhot lang ako ng singhot noon, so I hope she doesnt remember any of it...

William! William!!! my Mom yelled.

William pala pangalan mo? Ako si Ria. Siya si Jon.

Oh, Liam, youve got a new friend! Hello, hija.

Hello po. Welcome.

Wow, youre such a sweet girl. Whats your name nga? Ria po. Call me Tita Yolly. O Liam, say thank you.

Thank you, Ria. *singhot*

Yuck, kadiri talaga itsura ko noon. Pero sobrang tandang tanda ko pa lahat ng details na yun. Ewan ko ba, but I think Ill cherish that memory for the rest of my life.

Yuck, kadiri talaga ako. I put the picture back on my desk, when my phone beeped. Aba, 1 message received, from Gelo. At nakakapagtext pa pala si kumag.

Ui, thnx dw sb ni Mom.

Wla un, sup dude?

Ok lng pare. Kso balot na balot un braso q. Shoot, dude, I dnt think Ill be able to play soccer. Tange, at soccer pa ang inisip. Youre lucky she didnt get ur face.

Wel, if she gt my face ok lang, nd na niya ko hahabulin.

Kpl m dude

Haha! Jst fulin arnd. Ei, ngtnong b cna Ria bt dun?

Uu dude. Alala cla sau.

O? Ano sb ni Ria? Ayun, n2lala nga eh.

TLG?!

O bt gnyn k mkreact?

Wla. Cge dude buks nlng.

Aba?! Ang labo nga naman ni Gelo. Kaka-break lang kay Elle eto na naman, kung ano ano na naman ang tinatanong. Hmm. Hay naku, kung ano ano iniisip ko. Makatulog na nga, maaga pa ako bukas.

Angelos POV:

Darn, this stupid burn on my arm is proving to be more than I had anticipated. Kakainis, masagi ng konti ang sakit. Amp. Ang hirap tuloy magbihis, kumain, and I am starting to forget how incredibly convenient my life was before Elle had given me her gift. Buti na lang, hindi kaliwa ang panulat ko. What a send-off. But well, it completely fulfilled her purpose. I would never forget her, ever. How sweet of Elle.

Kakapasok ko pa lang ng gate, andun na yung mga barkada ko, led by Liam. Wow.

Pare, ok ka lang?

Gusto mo upakan natin si Elle?

"Gag0, babae yun! Kahit na! Psycho naman!

Shes suspended na, ok nay un. Saka wala to, pare ARAY! I yelled, when one of them had touched it.

O akala ko ba wala? said Liam, and they all laughed.

Mga gag0 kayo, I said dont mind it, hindi ko sinabing testingin niyo kung magaling na! Oh, hinay lang pare. Baka marinig ka, ikaw isunod na isuspend.

Tss. Theyre such jerks, laughing at me like that. Its not easy, dagnabit!! But after that, they were generally nicer to me, even helping me with my things. Umakyat na kami sa class, konti pa lang yung tao. Yes! Andun na si Ria. Hmm. Pa-kawawa effect nga ako para mapansin niya

Gelo!

Huy, Ria, I said gloomily. Wow, I have to get an Oscar for this! Ehrm Are you all right?

Ok lang, pero o mahirap. Hala, ang hirap, nagsisimula na akong m matawa.

Halika nga dito.

Huh h? I asked, but I still went and sat on my chair. I have something for you.

Chapter Six(A)

Gelos POV:

I have something for you.

Lapi it naman ako while she was fumbling in her bag.

Found it! she s said happily, and she handed me a plastic tub of what t looked like-

Lotion? I said in a funny y tone. She was looking at me with a rather amused e expression on her face. Uhm, ah well ehrm. Than nks, I said, wanting to sound more grateful than curi ious than I really was.

Arent you gonna ask what t its for? she shot at me. I raised a brow, wondering g what she was up to.

Well, I was, b but I was trying not to seem as tagabundok as I look.

Your attempt isnt working, sshe said shortly. I was about to open my mouth to arg gue when she held up her right fist and asked,

An nyway, do you see anything on my hand?

Erm, wala naman. P Pero ano naman ang koneksyon ng kamay mo dit to sa lotion?

Okay. When I was five, idinik kit ko lang naman itong kamay ko sa plantsang n naka-on. So naturally natuklap yung balat ko, you kn now, all those first and second degree burn stuff and complications. My Dad, whos working as a docto or, was told by his colleague about this uber meg ga-amazing ointmentslash- lotion that is capable of f completely healing burns and even eliminating the possibility of the appearance of scars. We tried i it, and heres the proof na effective talaga siya. I It only took two weeks to heal and look ma, no scars! sshe finished. As she had said all this very quickly, I ch hose not to make her say it again kahit wala halos akong naintindihan.

So you wa ant me to use this, I simply said. She rolled her eye es.

Oh no, I w want you to throw it away, she said sardonica ally.

Pilosopo. So ipapahid siya?

We ell depende sayo kung gusto mong inumin. Ano ba?!

Eh bakit mo pa kasi tinatan nong, alam mo namang wala pang naiimbentong g lotion na pwedeng inumin!

Hindi, what I mean to say is, how many times a day should yo ou use it?

Mukha ba akong users manual?!

Ay, sorry ah. Ano ba yun, pag-aawayan ba daw? Tiningnan ko yung directions sa labell. Oo nga naman, bakit ko nga na aman siya tatanungin kung may directions sa bote? Thanks. Thats very thoughtful of you, I told her, trying to sound d sincere. N Nah. Dont mention it, she told me, smiling. Rias POV: Its recess time, so ayun punta n naman ako sa lockers so I could get the books I need. . Maffy was somewhere organizing something for her org g (The School Chorale), so she told me shell just be s seeing me in class later. Nakakaloka nga naman ang org ac ctivities nila. I think theyre going to have a recital or ssomething like that. Hay, mapapanood d ko na naman si Maffy. I wanted to join the org to per ro

Hi!!!

Nab bitawan ko yung mga hawak kong libro sa gulat.

Liam, anak ka naman ng?! Hmph.

Sorry naman, he said, crouch hing down to get my books. I didnt bother to help him m with it, it was his fault anyway.

Ano namang e emergency ang meron ka at binubulabog mo ko dito? Ang sungit, P PMS? he asked, grinning. I smacked his arm with a book. My menstrual cycle is nnone of your concerns, ok? So anyway, what brinngs you here?

Ah, well, Maffy told me theydd be practicing until 8 pm, so she asked me kung g pwede kitang ihatid pauwi.

Oh, she did? I asked absentmindedly. Oo, patanga tanga k ka daw kasi sa daan, he said, and this time I aimedd for his face. Ang sama n ng ugali mo! I said, sunod sunod ang palo for each w word. Ok, ok, I take it back! he said d, and I stopped the assault. I spared him a glare as h he handed me my books. Oh, wag na mag galit. Papangit ka niyan, ang ganda mo pa naman n today.

Is that a compliment?

Kailan ba ko nagsinungaling?

Well, let me think. Yeah, about 101 per cent of the time? ?

Ewan ko sayo. Sige, see ya dud de, he said, walking away. I stared at his retreating back and shook my head. Dear Old Liam.

Oooh, look. Its the boyfriend s stealer flirting again, said a voice. I looked up and saw Irish Beltran standing a few meters away from me.

Oooh, I said, doing a fairly goo od imitation of her annoyingly lofty voice, with matchinng shoulder and kembot action.

What a surprise. D Didnt think you could actually survive without E Elle, I said.

Well, its hard, you know. Elle and I were, like, you know, inseparable. she sa aid, heaving an absolutely dramatic sigh.

Yup. Hindi ko nga akalain ng one hemisphere could actually survive withou ut the other.

Hemisphere? she sa aid, as though contemplating if it was an insult or not. Dude, ang slow naman talaga oh.

Well, I thought you and Ellle would not be able to survive without each oth her. Like the brains hemispheres. Kasi fr rom what Ive heard, you were only given half a brain each. b

Aba! Ang thick ng face mo! Who do you think are you to say that? You makke that bawi, or Ill!

I didnt even bother to look at her. I simply closed my locker and s said, You'll what?

It was w when I noticed that she wasnt looking at me, but at a point over my shoulder. Lingon naman ako. Nandun nakatay yo si Jonathan at yung isa niyang kaibigang chinito at SUPER tangkad. I raised a brow and shook my head, leaavving Irish there with her mouth open, looking intently y at that Chinito guy.

His names La ance, diba? she asked me. Tiningnan ko si Irish, am mused. Ewan. Di ko siya kilala, I saidd, shrugging. Iniwan ako ni Irish para puntahan sina J Jon, at ang loka, parang ganun lang kadaling nakaliimmutan ang insulto ko. Kakainis naman. Ang ganda na a nung hirit ko eh. Tininggnan ko ulit yung Chinito. Sus. Di naman gwapo.

Chapter Six (B)

Rias POV:

Ano next subject? Gelo asked m me. Values Ed. Hoy Ria, alam mo ba kung anon ng tawag sa anak ng mantika? Natawa ako. Para nnamang kasing sira to si

Gelo, natapunan lang ng mantika, n naadik na. Hindi.

Edi, baby oil!!! Tiningnan ko siya a na pang-asar, pero sa totoo lang natatawa ako sa itssura niya. Parang ineexpect niya talaga akong tumawa a.

Oo na, corny na. Yabang mo ah h! Sige nga ikaw!!!

Hmm. Sige. Kung pacorny-han llang ang laban, anong bansa ang laging nauuna?? I asked. Tumaas yung isa niyang kilay. Haha, si kumag nap paisip.

Ano?

Edi, Persia Ngek. Mas corny ka pala sakin e eh, he said, but he was laughing. Eh bakit ka tumatawa kung cornrny?

Masama?!

Gelo!

Tingin naman kami dun sa parang k kabute na lumitaw sa harapan namin.

O bakit?

Palit tayo upuan.

Sino may sabi?

Wala, ako lang. Sige na, bro, waala naman paki si Sir Joseph sa seating arrangem ment.

Eh may nakaupo kaya sa upuan n mo, Gelo said. True enough, sitting on Liams seat was Irish, who was talking to Liams seatmate, Zoe.

Edi dun ka na lang sa upuan ni Irish, katabi mo pa si Ate Maffy, said Liam. Gelo looked at me, then at Liam, and scratched his head. He loooked a bit annoyed, but he gave in. Sige na nga, he said. Tumayo na siya at naglakad papunta kay Maffy. Gelos POV:

Grabe naman itong si Liam. Talagang pinaalis ako eh. Kung saang seat pa ako itinaboy. Eto namang si Ria hindi man lang nag-object. Ganun ba ako ka-corny na katabi? Kakainis.

Umupo ako sa tabi ni Ate Maffy at pinanood silang dalawa. Aba, at naghaharutan pa. Enjoy na enjoy ang itsura ni Ria habang pinapalo niya sa braso si Liam. Ano bang feeling nila, nasa Koreanovela sila? Hmph. Bwiset.

Uy, Gelo, musta yung paso mo? I heard Maffy ask. Ah? Eto? Paso pa rin.

Pero ok ka lang?

Oo naman Ate Maffs. Malayo to sa atay.

Asus, bakit iba yung narinig kong sinabi mo kay Ria kanina?

Napatingin ako kay Maffy sa sinabi niya. Oo nga, bakit kay Ria kanina nag-iinarte ako? Nagpapapansin nga ba ako? Hmph.

Hindi. Wala, nagpapatawa lang ako kanina.

Alam mo, if looks could kill, kanina pa siguro namatay si Liam. Shoot! Ang labo naman oh. Bakit nga ba ako naiinis kay Liam eh pinalipat niya lang naman ako ng upuan? Ang LABO pare.

Selos ka?? Maffy asked casually, as though it was just a chemistry problem she wanted to clarify. I forced a laugh. Ate Maffs naman, bakit naman ako magseselos? I asked her. At hindi ko rin maiwasang itanong yun sa sarili ko

Wala akong ginawa nung Values Ed period kundi panoorin silang dalawa. Nagbubulungan sila, nagpapass notes pa. I even caught myself wishing that Sir Joseph would scold them and make Liam go back to his seat. Maya-maya, I felt someone tap my shoulder.

Gelo, uwian na, said Maffy, and only then had I become aware of the dismissal bell that was going off like mad. Ah, thanks, Ate, I said. I stood up, frowning, and then one of my friends came up to me. Dude, DoTA daw, clan match, Integrity versus Sovereignty. Ano, game ka? he asked me. Naku, sovereignty, section pala nung mayabang na Lance na yun yun ang kakalabanin namin. Kasama si Signal Number Four? I asked. Oo naman. Yun pa, he said. I smirked. I never said no to a match against them. Especially not when Signal

Number Four is out there waiting to be flattened.

Count me in, and theyre good as dead. FF: Ang tagal naman ng mga yun. Dalawa pa lang kami dito sa may gate, hinihintay namin yung iba naming kaklase na sasama daw. Meron pa nga daw manonood. Ewan, pero sabi nila dahil daw yun alam nilang kami nina Lance aka Signal Number Four yung maglalaban. Akalain mo yun? Tsk tsk.

Dumaan na siya kanina, akala mo kung sino na naka-smirk pa. Grabe kung nakakatangay yung hangin niya siguro nakarating na ako sa bahay namin. Tumapat ba naman sa akin tas ngumisi nang pang-asar. Tss. Ang yabang.

Dude, sasama ba si Liam? I asked.

Ewan ko, my friend replied. Hindi ko pa nga nakikita si kumag, simula nung nag-bell. Luminga linga ako para hanapin siya pero wish ko lang kung nasaan man siya, hindi niya kasama si Ria.

Huh? Ano ba yung pinag-iiisip ko?! I shook my head and just waited patiently.

O, ayun na pala si Liam eh!

Napatingin naman ako dun sa tinuro nung kaibigan ko. Sure enough, there was Liam walking towards us. And wow, surprises of all surprises, look who hes with!

Wui, pare, DoTA versus Sov, sama ka?

Sorry bro, pass muna. Ihahatid ko pa si Ria.

Whoa dude, masosolo mo si Ria ah!

Lul! Umayos ka ah!

I was speechless. Ewan ko kung bakit. Tumingin na lang ako sa malayo, for looking at them gave me a rather strong desire to kick something. Pero hindi ko rin naiwasan, nung tumingin ako uli nagsalubong yung tingin namin ni Liam. Pinilit kong ngumiti para hindi halata na nabadtrip ako. Tumango na lang ako sa kanilang dalawa kasi my throat was kind of dry. Ano bang nangyayari saken?!

Sinundan ko na lang sila ng tingin habang papalabas sila ng gate. Deretso ang lakad ni Ria at may nakita kong papadaan na kotse

I saw Liam put his arm around her shoulder and pull her towards him so shed be out of the cars way. Amp yan. Lakas ng tsansing ah. Iba na talaga pag expert. BADTRIP!!!

Liams POV: Ba, muntik na si Ria dun sa g*gong driver na yun ah? Sira ulo! I said, my arm still around her shoulder.

Hayaan mo na, she told me. Then lumingon siya. Bakit? I asked.

Nothing. I know for a fact that it wasnt just nothing. Siguro napansin rin niya yung napansin ko kanina.

Dude, yung arm mo, she told me. Ay, sorry.

Inalis ko yung pagkakaakbay ko sa kanya kahit hindi ko naman gustong alisin. After that napaisip din ako. Naghahallucinate ba ako o talagang sumimangot si Gelo kanina nung nakita niya kami?

Which reminds me

Ria, ano yung binigay mo kay Gelo kaninang umaga? I asked her, trying not to sound obvious.

Ah, yun ba? Tanda mo yung ginamit ko dito sa kamay ko dati? Nung napaso ako?

Ah, oo. Yun ba yun?

Yup. Para hindi siya magkaroon ng scars.

Wow, concerned ka kay Gelo? I asked. Natawa siya. Ako? Sira ka ba? Hmph. Selos ka lang eh! she said, laughing. Oo noh, selos ako. Pag ako yung napapaso hindi mo naman ako binibigyan maski colgate.

Balat kalabaw ka naman kaya ok lang.

Ang yabang mo! Tss. Basta selos ako. I told her. Natatawa pa rin siya. Buti na lang dense siya, hindi niya halata na hindi na pala ako nagbibiro.

Pare, alam mo namang hindi tayo talo. Lalake ako, remember? she said. I laughed at her, though I found it difficult not to look at her for longer than necessary. Ang tagal tagal na pero tuwing tinitingnan ko siya, naaalala ko pa rin na siya yung humila ng kamay ko nung nadapa ako, na siya yung

BEEEEEEEP!!!

@#$%! Ano ba yun, kung makabusina, parang walang bukas! Tumingin ako sa likuran namin. Aba, at muntik na pala kaming masagasaan! G@GO to ah!!!

HOY! I yelled, at nilapitan ko yung window nung driver. Sumunod sa akin si Ria. Ibinaba nung driver yung windshield.

Easy lang, bro. Nanggigiyera ka agad eh! the guy said. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makilala ko yung nakasakay.

KUYA?!

Chapter Seven

Liam's POV:

"KUYA?" Sabi ko na eh. I knew that annoying smirk. But what the heck are they doing here? They're supposed to be continuing their Masters' Degree in New York University!

"Ano bang hinihintay niyong dalawa diyan? Pasko?" asked my older brother. "Dalian niyo, we might get towed," said the other familiar face from the front seat. Binuksan ko yung likod ng car, at sumakay na rin ako pagkatapos ni Ria.

"Wow, Liam, are you actually walking my little sister home?"

"Ate Danna!" said Ria from beside me. Naku, at eto na naman kami. "Pinasamahan lang siya saken ni Maffy."

"Husus, kunwari pang napilitan."

"Oo noh. Edi kasalanan ko pa kung mapahamak yan, patanga-tanga pa naman sa daan."

"Kanina ka pa ah!"

"Ang sabihin mo, concerned ka lang talaga!"

"Shut up Kuya!"

"Eh bakit ka nagba-blush?" sabi pa sa akin ni Kuya sabay lingon sa amin sa likod. Amps talaga tong Kuya ko, ang lakas humirit!!! "Toff, may truck," Ate Danna warned. "Yan kasi. Eh kung sa daan ka na lang kasi tumitingin eh, diba Kuya?"

"No, I swear, Liam was blushing!"

"Kuya, I told you to shut up!" I said heatedly. Tinawanan lang nila ako ni Ate Danna.

"Wow, baligtad na pala ngayon. Si bunso ang nag-uutos kay Kuya."

"Eh bakit defensive ka, ha Liam?"

I chose not to reply. Hindi ko alam kung matatawa ba ako o ano. Kasi naman itong mga kapatid namin, tuwing magkikita kita na lang kami, kinakarir ang pagma-matchmake sa amin. Nahihiya na tuloy ako kay Ria. Buti na lang hindi siya nag-iisip ng kung ano.

"Sabi ni Mommy, magpa-deliver na lang daw tayo sa North Park kasi she's not in the mood to cook," sabi ni Ate Danna, hawak ang cellphone at dina-dial ang number ng resto.

"Asan nga pala sila?" tanong ni Ria, who seemed to be keen to change the topic. Napangiti ako. Naniwala kaya siya na nag-blush ako?

"Asus, nasa Duty Free. You know how they get, hindi pwedeng bababa sa tatlong oras ang pamimili nila," said Ate Danna.

"Iuuwi daw nila yung buong Duty Free. Teka, nakakahalata na ko sa inyong dalawa ah. Iniiba niyo yung usapan!"

Hindi na lang ulit ako sumagot. Para hindi na makahirit si Kuya. Ayun nagkwentuhan na lang silang tatlo about sa biyahe nina Kuya kanina hanggang nakarating kami sa bahay namin. Napagkasunduan namin na doon na lang kumain kina Ria para malaki yung table at mas maaliwalas. Tinamad rin kami na ibaba yung mga gamit nila kaya sabi namin mamaya na lang pagkatapos kumain. I noticed na nagsesenyasan sina Kuya Toff at Ate Danna. Ano na naman kayang binabalak ng dalawanang ito?!

DING! DONG!

"Ria, that must be the delivery g guy. Let's go fix the table."

Hinila na ni Ate Danna si Ria paalis n ng salas. After that nagsenyasan uli sina Kuya at Ate. . Asus, buti na lang, akala ko pagtitripan na naman kami ni Ria a. Gusto lang pala ako kausapin ni Kuya ng sarilinan.

"Bro, long time," sabi ni kuya, offe ering me a high five.

"Oo nga Kuya eh."

"So ano, ano nang update?"

"Update saan?" I asked him, thouggh I think I have an idea of what he's talking about.

"Duh, dude?! You, and her... upd date? anything?" my Kuya demanded. Napa-scratch h ako ng head. Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko kay K Kuya.

"Me... and her? Ayun. Ganito pa rin." Napa buntunghininga si Kuya sa sobrang exaspe eration. I can tell that he's really frustrated. Kung sa bagay, sin no nga namang kuya ang hindi maiinis sa akin, yung t tipong tuwing magooverseas call eh isang problem ma lang ang ikinukwento?!

"Liam, anong petsa na?! You've been into her for the past decade... Saka ga-gradduate na kayo ng High School! It's about time you made e your move."

"Kuya, believe me, kung meron m mang may gusto na magawa ko na yun... no one e wants it more than me."

"Eh bakit ba hindi mo magawa-ggawa?"

"Look, it's not as easy as you thi ink it is."

"Not as easy?" Kuya Toff said gloa atingly. "Kaya pala naka-tatlong girlfriends ka na. ." nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi ni kuya... Paano niya nalaman yun?

"Sino nagsabi sayo nun?"

"Si Mommy. Nagdala ka daw ng babae dito, tatlong beses. And yes, she swears t they're not the same person."

Anak ng tipaklong. Si Mommy nama an talaga oh. Sinabi ko nang wag sabihin kay Kuya eh..

"Iba kasi si Ria eh. Ewan ko ba.. .. pag siya na, hindi ko na alam... pero siguro dar rating rin yung right time...

Kuya seemed to be restraining hims self from rolling his eyes with difficulty.

"Dude. Tell me, have you been w watching chick flicks lately?"

"Hah? Paano tayo napunta sa ch hick flicks?"

"Right times... yang mga cliche j junk na yan... they only exist in chick flicks, fairy ytales, teleseryes. You, on the other hand, exist in the re eal world. One thing you have to accept, in the reeal world, walang scriptwriter na mag-aarange ng convenient coincidences. Walang right time righ ht time, that's bullcr*p. In the real world, the story will d depend on whether you're ready and gutsy enou ugh to take the necessary risks. Ikaw din... pag naunahan ka, ewan ko kung ano gagawin ko say yo."

Natauhan ako sa sinabi ni Kuya. Tot too nga naman yun... sino bang niloloko ko? RIGHT TI IME?! WTH diba?

" "Ikaw din... pag naunahan ka..."

Those words echoed in my head like mad. Hindi ko alam kung bakit pero nung naisip ko na may mauuna sa akin na manligaw kay Ria, si Gelo agad ang pumasok sa utak ko. Praning na ba ako or what?

"You're right Kuya. Now comes the hard part." "What d'you mean? Sasabihin mo ngayon?"

"Why not?"

"G*go ka ba? Planuhin mo naman!"

My mind went horribly blank at the prospect of imagining the perfect scenario.

"Any suggestions? Na mental block ako."

"I have an idea."

Chapter Eight

Ria's POV: "Ate. ATE! Tanghali na!" Ate Danna opened her eyes.

"Bakit, may pasok ba? It's a Saturday, isn't it?" she asked me sleepily. Naku, ang bruha, nakalimutang wala naman siyang papasukan!

"Yeah, it's a Saturday... Pero pinapagising ka na ni Mommy. Sa kabilang bahay tayo kakain ng breakfast."

"Ha? Tinatamad na naman ba si Mommy magcook?" "Hindi..."

"Kayo na lang. Inaantok pa ko."

"Ikaw bahala. Magprepare pa naman si Kuya Toff ng favorite mo... I did hear him say na magluluto siya ng Eggs Benedict."

I knew it. The moment I said the words Eggs Benedict, mabilis pa sa kidlat na bumangon sa higaan si Ate.

"Whoa, Eggs Benedict... I'll be there in a sec!" she said, all traces of sleepiness gone. Natawa na lang ako, kasi muntik pa siya madapa sa pagmamadali niyang makapunta sa bathroom.

In three minutes, tapos na siya maligo. Grabe naman tong Ate ko... Habang hinahalukay niya yung maleta niya para maghanap ng damit, may pumasok sa kwarto... Si Denise. Dating gawi, walang paa-paalam or anything, kinalkal niya yung lalagyan ng bag at sapatos ko. She picked out the bag that Ate Danna gave me for my birthday. Naku, patay..!

"Hey! Where do you think are you bringing that?" Ate Danna said in a dangerous voice. Denise looked like she had just only noticed her.

"Ate Danna! Umuwi ka na pala!!!"

"I said, where are you bringing that?"

"Sa school, I'm going to meet my friendships kasi..."

"So you just pick that bag and go, without asking permission from Ria?"

"It's okay lang naman daw for her." "How do you know? You didn't even ask. Give me that," sabi ni Ate Danna.

"Ate hihiramin ko lang naman eh..."

"You think I'm just gonna let you do that? Look, I didn't buy that Chanel bag for 2000 dollars, six months' worth of savings, para lang basta mo makuha sa closet ng kapatid ko without permission na hihiramin mo. I sent that to my sister for her to use."

"I said I was just making hiram, hello? Didn't you make me rinig?"

"I'm not deaf. What I'm saying is, magpaalam ka man lang. You do know what etiquette means, do you?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Well just knowing it isn't enough. Put it into practice. That way you're going to do us a favor."

"I'm just making it hiram!"

"It's not the bag I'm fussed about. Ang akin lang, wag kang bastos. Matuto kang magpaalam."

"Fine. Sa inyo na yan. Ang fugly fugly naman niyan eh. Hmph," sabi ni Denise, and with that she left the room. Ate Danna looked ready to kill.

"Tingnan mo yun! Bastos! Pinintasan pa yung bag hindi naman niya afford! At nakikitira lang siya dito noh?!"

"Hayaan mo na Ate. Pinapatulan mo pa kasi. Halika na, hinihintay na tayo nina Kuya Toff."

I noticed Ate's frown vanish.

"Husus. Ang sabihin mo, gusto mo na makita si Liam," sabi niya, sabay takbo. At hinabol ko naman. "ATEEEE!!! Pag nahuli kita LAGOT ka talaga saken!"

Gelo's POV:

RIINNGG!!

Anak ng tipaklong. Ang aga mambulabog. Sino kaya to? BADTREEP.

"Hello?"

"GELO!!!"

Amp. Nambulabog na nga, naninigaw pa! "SINO BA TO?!" "Hoy dude, ang aga pa ang sungit na ah!"

Lintek! Nangulit pa!

"SINO KA NGA?!"

"Si Kuya Toff to!"

Anak naman ng--!? Mangti-trip na lang si Kuya Toff pa ang ginamit?!

"Engot ka ba?! Nasa US yun! Pwede ba kung wala kang magawa wag mo kong idamay sa kagaguhan mo!"

Sabay bagsak ko ng telepono. BWISET!

RIIIIINGGGGG!

Ano ba! Uupakan ko na to eh! Bumangon na nga ako.

"DIBA ANG SABI KO--"

"Ano ba! Ang sakit sa tenga!"

"LIAM?! Bakit mo sinabing si Kuya Toff ka?"

"G*GU! Si Kuya Toff yung kausap mo kanina!" "Weh, hindi nga?!"

"Oo, kagabi lang umuwi. Iimbitahan ka daw sana niya mag-almusal dito, kasi alam niya daw na baka noodles na naman ang kakainin mo dyan, gagawa siya ng Eggs Benedict--"

"EGGS BENEDICT? Sabihin mo andyan na ko!"

"Nagbago na daw isip niya."

"Lul! Punta na ko diyan!" Dali-dali akong nagbihis. Loko tong si Kuya Toff ah! Umuwi na pala si kumag. Na-miss ko rin yun, parang totoong Kuya ko na rin yun eh! At syempre pinaka na-miss ko yung Eggs Benedict na specialty niya!

In less than five minutes nandoon na ako sa bahay nina Liam, ewan ko kung talagang malapit lang ba o mabilis lang akong tumakbo. Knowing them, pwedeng pwede nila akong maubusan pag hindi ako nagmadali. At syempre wala nang pasintabi, pumasok na lang ako. Nakita ko si Kuya Toff sa kitchen counter, nakatalikod sa akin at may hinihiwa.

"KUYA!"

Harap naman siya saken. Ngumiti siya at nag-high five kami, and a short hug.

"Bro, monster ka pala pag bagong gising."

"Haha. Oo nga eh. Pasensiya na. Tagal pa ba yan?"

"Hindi, konting hintay na lang." "Hoy Gelo! Langya ka, sira eardrums namin ni Kuya," said Liam, who appeared out of nowhere. He looked so decent for someone who just woke up. Ako kasi, nagpalit lang ng damit. Nakalimutan ko na nga magsuklay, nasilaw ako sa prospect ng masarap na breakfast. Tagal ko na rin kasing hindi nakakakain ng matinong breakfast.

"Sorry naman bro. Bagong gising."

"Sus. Pasalamat ka injured ka. Kungdi inupakan ka na naming magkuya."

"Injured?" tanong ni Kuya Toff, sabay tingin sa bandages sa braso ko. "Ano nangyari diyan? Nabali?" "Nabuhusan ng kumukulong mantika."

"ANO?! Paanong--"

"TAO PO?" said an unfamiliar voice. Then came three knocks on the door. A pretty girl of about Kuya Toff's age came into view.

"Girlfriend mo, Kuya?" I asked.

"Tange, hindi."

"Ate ni Ria yan, classmate ni Kuya sa NYU." Ate ni Ria? Kaya pala maganda. "Ate Danna, si Gelo nga pala. Kaklase namin ni Ria," pakilala sa amin ni Liam.

"Nice to meet you."

"Hi guys!"

Shoot! Si Ria!

Teka, bakit ba ko natataranta? LABO.

Shete, ni hindi nga pala ako nagsuklay!

"O, Gelo, andito ka pala," she said, smiling at me. I tried to do the same but the muscles in my face seemed to have forgotten how to do it.

"Good morning," I said. Lechugas. Ano ba yung nasabi ko? Para naman akong guard sa mall nun! Amp. Hindi na ako nagtaka na natawa siya sa akin.

"Ang formal mo ah, in fairness," sabi niya matapos ilagay yung thermos na hawak niya sa table.

"Gutom lang yan, Gelo. Kuya ok na ba yan?"

"Ok na ito... o kunin niyo na yung mga plato niyo!"

Ayun, masunurin kaming mga bata kaya ayun, kumain na kami. Masaya naman sa table, nagkwentuhan lang kami ng kung ano-ano. Matagal na pala silang magkakakilala kaya medyo nahihiya hiya pa ako. Dagdag pa yung fact na parang ako lang yung nasa table na hindi pa naliligo.

"Hey, is it true na may band kayo?" Kuya Toff suddenly said, cutting into my thoughts. "Oh, yeah," was all that I had managed to say, my mouth was kind of full. "Cool! Sino vocals?" asked Ate Danna. "Ako, syempre. Este kami pala ni Gelo."

"Wow, marunong ka pala kumanta?" Ria shot at me. At kamusta naman, nabulunan ako! Halos dagukan ako ni Kuya Toff para tumigil sa kauubo.

"Oo naman. Kahit mukha akong ewan may talent din naman ako," sabi ko.

"Pareho rin kaming marunong sa guitars, acoustic and electric, pati bass. Kaya pwede ang band kahit wala yung isa sa amin."

"That's cool. Anyway, a friend of ours just finished building a bar and grill thingy near here. And he's looking for bands, kaya sabi niya tanungin ko kayo if you're interested."

"Oo naman," sabi ni Liam. "Yeah, that will be great," I said. "Yung grand opening is like, next next Saturday. I can ask him to let you do the front act."

"Wow, cool yun Kuya!" Liam said excitedly.

"Uy, Danna, Ria, both of you have to be there," sabi ni Kuya Toff. "Especially ikaw, Ria. Liam would need a confidence boost."

HUH? Ano yun?! "Kuya, tigilan mo nga yan!" sabi ni Liam. "Hindi rin, Toff. Baka nga lalong kabahan yan pag nanood si Ria!" hirit ni Ate Danna. "Ate shut up nga," sabi ni Ria.

Bakit parang affected siya? At bakit kanina pa silang nililink nina Kuya Toff at Ate Danna sa isa't isa? Is this one of their 'usual' habits? At kung usual na lang to, bakit parang apektadong apektado sina Liam and Ria? Ibig bang sabihin nun, may something talaga?

At higit sa lahat, bakit pati ako... parang naaapektuhan sa naririnig ko? Or maybe... I'm not sure... Apektado ba yung right term? o naiinis?

Chapter Nine

Jonathans POV:

Humahangos akong pumasok sa loob ng locker rooms. Soccer Practice starts 8 am, its already a quarter past 8. When coach gets a hold of me, patay na naman ako. Id hit the jackpot if he catches me yet again; I was an hour late last week.

Late again, said a voice as I rushed inside. I got a bit nervous, but when I looked at the person who had said it, nawala ang nerbiyos ko.

Lul. Akala ko ikaw si coach. Youre lucky. Wala pa siya, Lance informed me. Good, I replied, proceeding to change my shoes.

Lance de Rivera, aka Signal Number Four. Well, totoo namang mayabang siya. Imagine, hindi na basta hangin, bagyo na, pinakamataas na signal pa. Kaya nga siguro kami nagkakasundo, pareho kaming sobra ang self- confidence. Hindi ma-gets ng karamihan, but its all a joke. At sa lahat ng tao sa team, siya yung parang kapatid ko na.

Bakit ang tagal mo?

Parang hindi ka naman sanay.

Hindi rin... pero hindi nga? Ginising ka ba ng mom mo? tanong sa akin ni Lance. Kaya naman kasi ako na- late nung isang Saturday kasi hindi ako ginising ng Mom ko.

Oo. Bati na kami, bro.

Buti naman. Kaso wala pa rin. Bagal mo kasi eh. Buti pa ako, early bird. Masunuring bata.

Ang yabang. Yeah, thats me. Im Signal Number Four, remember? he said, smirking. Kunsabagay.

We proceeded to the grandstand, where my teammates were already running and kicking around. On the sidelines were the cheerleaders. I spotted my cousin, Denise, her arms full of what looked like bags, water jugs and face towels. Napailing ako. Inaalipin na naman siya ng mga Starfish.

I dont get it. Paano niya nagagawang pagtiyagaan yung ginagawa sa kanya ng mga yun? sabi ni Lance. Doon din pala siya nakatingin.

Ewan ko ba, I dont get it either, sabi ko. Tiningnan ko na lang siya habang pabalik-balik siya sa bleachers, getting face towels, and whatever else na inuutos sa kanya.

Paano ba yan? Kulang na ng isa yung cheerleaders ng Integ.

Napaisip ako sa sinabi ni Lance. Binilang ko sila.. oo nga, labing-isa lang. Suspended nga pala si Elle. At kahit babalik siya after two weeks, I dont think theyll welcome her back. Hindi ko naman sila masisisi. Sino ba ang hindi matatakot sa psycho na nambubuhos ng kumukulong mantika kapag galit?

Sino kaya kukunin nila? I asked. Ang dami kasing magaganda sa Integrity. Ewan. Pero they gotta find one soon. Ang lapit na ng intrams.

Sus, ok lang din. At least panalo na ang Sovereignty by default.

Ipaubaya na natin yung trophy ng cheering sa kanila. Sa atin na naman yung Championship sa Soccer.

Wow. Ang humble mo pare.

Ano ka ba. Im perfectly entitled to brag.

Ehrm. Bakit? Sige nga, I said, challenging him. Ginulo niya yung buhok niya at nagsimulang maglakad papunta sa pitch.

Syempre. Im the next David Beckham.

LUL!

Irishs POV:

OMG! Team Sov!!! I watched as Lance and Jonathan joined their teammates on the field. Theyre definitely the hottest guys on their team, hands down. If only I werent from Integ, siguro nagtitili na ako.

Denise! Ano ba, wheres my face towel! Youre so effing tagal!

Oo, sandali lang...

I was jerked back into reality as I looked back at my girls. In spite of myself, I took pity on her. Lately naiisip ko nang hindi tama yung ginagawa namin sa kanya. Utos kaliwat kanan. Snide insults.

But its her fault too. If she wasnt pushing herself on us, she wouldnt be suffering like this. I could still remember Elle telling us to just let her in and take advantage. After all, Denise said she was willing to do everything to fit in. At first I thought it was pathetic but comical.

I saw one of my friends stick out her foot as Denise walked by. Denise landed flat on her face, and there was a roar of laughter.

Denise! I said, helping her up.

The girls looked shocked at what I did; the expressions on their faces changed from malevolent amusement to mixed astonishment and disbelief. Kahit ako, I couldnt believe it myself. Before, I was the one who keeps tripping her up in corridors. Actually, it wasnt just me... It had been me and Elle who made sure that Denise was kept as miserable as humanly possible.

Well, dont blame us; it wasnt our fault that the situation had been so ironic. Denise Lopez happened to be Ria Antonios cousin, and here she came, wanting to get along with us. Elle heartily hated every fiber of Rias being, and for her, treating Denise like some slave is a good way of getting even.

Thanks, sabi sa akin ni Denise. Naguluhan ako kaya tumango na lang ako. Lumapit sa akin ang isa sa mga kaibigan ko and she pulled me away.

Whats happening to you? she asked me in a low voice, so Denise wouldnt hear.

I dont know. Lets start... I said, keen to change the topic.

Are you kidding? Were one cheerleader short.

But before I could think of a sensible retort...

MISS BELTRAN!

I looked behind me and saw our cheerleading coach approaching us.

Walang practice today.

What? But why? the girls said in unison.

One of your captains has been suspended, in case you didnt notice. Youre all free to go, except for you, Irish.

The girls left with whispered groans. Hindi kasi matutuloy ang pagpapa-cute nila kina Lance at Jonathan. Miss Beltran, I wont pretend that Elles suspension wasnt a blow. I need you to find me a replacement as soon as possible.

Maam, as soon as possible? But... I dont know...

Oh, sorry, I have phrased it incorrectly. I already have someone in mind, and I want you to talk to her this instant. Gelos POV:

Alas dos na, pero ayos lang ang sikat ng araw, hindi gaanong mainit. Sandali kong pinanood ang laro ng Sov, at ayoko man na aminin sa sarili ko, kahit paano I got intimidated. Lalong gumagaling si Signal Number Four pati si Jonathan. Naku. Malaki-laking challenge ang haharapin namin ni Liam sa Intrams. Speaking of Liam, naabutan ko siya sa locker rooms, prepared na prepared na. Nagsi-stretch pa nga si kumag.

O! Bro!

Bihis na agad ah.

Syempre naman. Teka, bakit nandito ka na?

Ha?

I mean... diba? May paso ka... pag nasagi yan, ikaw din.

Sus, hindi. Halos magaling na nga eh, I replied, even showing him my arm, which is now free of bandages. May naiwan pang marks, pero hindi na siya masakit or anything. I saw Liam spare my arm a look. He looked like he was carefully trying to contemplate what he wanted to say next.

So. Ok na pala... Ginamit mo yung binigay ni Ria?

Tiningnan ko siya. Amp. Ano bang tanong yun? Kung nasa korte siguro ako, I wouldve raised an objection. Para kasing meron siyang gustong palabasin. Dagdag yung fact that his glance was more accusatory than curious. Pero teka, bakit ba? Ano naman ang masama kung ginamit ko diba? Ang gulo ng buhay.

Oo. Astig nga, three days ko pa lang na ginagamit. Tamo, talo yung Olay! I said, trying to be funny. His facial expression didnt change.

Yeah, kita mo nga yung kamay niya. Wala ng bakas ng paso diba?

Alam mo pala yung tungkol dun? sabi ko. But right after that, I realized how stupid the question was.

Oo naman, magkababata kami eh.

Cool. I gotta thank her, I owe her one, sabi ko habang nagtatali ng shoelaces.

Enjoy siyang kasama, noh? Medyo nagulat ako, akala ko tapos na yung usapan.

Oo naman. Ang kulit kaya nun. Hindi ko nga akalain na masayang katabi yun. Biro mo, napaamo ko? Eh diba ang taray taray nun?

Pansin ko nga, kasundong kasundo mo.

Eh mabait naman eh, bakit hindi, diba?

Nakikita ko nga, wala kayong ginawa kundi tumawa.

Paano kasi, ang babaw. Eh alam mo naman yung tawa nun, nakakag*go. Tapos halos magkapalit kayo ng mukha pag math saka physics...

Nagpapaturo kasi ako. Ang galing niya nga eh, mas naiintindihan ko pa pag siya yung nagtuturo kaysa kay Maam Pearlie o kay Sir Mar.

Wow. Such a development, huh? Considering na youve only known each other for a bit more than four days? Aba. Iba na yung tono nun ah. At teka lang... lahat nung binanggit niya... napansin niya lahat yun? Ibig bang sabihin nun, pinapanood niya kami?

LABO!

But a nagging voice in my head said:

Bakit? Eh nung nagkatabi rin naman sila nung isang araw, pinapanood mo rin.

Kung ano-ano pinapansin mo. Tara na nga, I said, deliberately ending the conversation. Hindi na kasi ako kumportable. Tumayo na ako.

Dude, sabihin mo nga saken... nagkakagusto ka na ba kay Ria?

Chapter Ten

Rias POV:

Nako. Monday na naman. Im not in the mood to start another week; I dont think I felt the weekend properly. Ate Danna and I werent even able to go shopping (she promised pa naman to buy me that dress Ive been eyeing in Topshop for ages) because I had to do all those homeworks. Pssshh. BUMMER. I shouldve

Ouch!

I found myself now sitting on the floor of the schools entrance lobby, with my bag about three feet away from me. I got so absorbed in my thoughts that I forgot to look at where I was going. I stood up and opened my mouth to say sorry when

Sorry, are you all right?

Imagine my shock when I realized that it had been Irish who said that. Well, she wasnt exactly polite (even civilized) all the time... and at bumps like these, shes more likely to yell a whole paragraph of swearwords at me than say sorry.

Yeah, thanks...

She gave me a curt nod and walked away, leaving me resisting the urge to ask where she was going. I mean, why ask? Ano yun diba? Feeling close?

Hoy, may balak ka bang pumasok, ha? I turned to face Maffy.

Tell me, was that really Irish?

Uhh. Yeah. Bakit naman?

Wala lang. Well, you know, shes not the type whod say sorry to me, diba?

Oh come on. Buti nga yun, nagiging ok kayo eh. And besides, shes not as bad as she looks. Oh-kay... If you say so.

Umakyat na kami sa classroom. Nag-stay ako sandali sa tabi ni Maffy kasi wala pa akong makakausap, wala pa kasi si Gelo.

Kinakamusta ka ni Ate Danna.

Oo nga eh, punta sana ako nung Sabado kaso may org meeting the whole day.

Sobrang busy na yata kayo? Oo naman, ang lapit na kaya nung program?

Kungsabagay. Three weeks na lang noh?

Hindi. Four weeks. Na-move yung date.

Bakit?

Ano ka ba, na-set na yung retreat natin.

Wow, cool!

Yup, excited na ko. Sabi ni Maam magkaka-culminating activity daw tayong batch this week, parang preparation sa retreat.

Pagsasamahin ang Sov at Integ?

Yup.

Goodluck sa tin. Haha.

Narinig kong bumukas yung pinto, pumasok si Gelo. Napatingin siya sa amin, and I smiled at him. Ngumiti rin siya ng tipid tas dumeretso sa upuan niya.

O, wala na siyang bandages oh, sabi sa akin ni Maffy. Oo nga noh?

Tara, puntahan natin.

Lapit naman kami...

Hi Gelo.

O. Hi.

Ok na pala yung braso mo? Ah. Oo. Salamat dun sa lotion ha?

Sure thing. Astig, wala na halos traces... patingin nga... I said, coming nearer as I went to check his arm, but he pulled it sharply out of my grasp. I was shocked at what he did. And judging by the look on his face, he was, too.

Sorry, ang sabi ko na lang. Hindi ko maiwasang ma-offend sa ginawa niya. I also noticed that he was careful not to look me in the eye. Nakakainis naman. Ano nangyari dito? Just this Saturday morning we were getting along well... whats he doing playing the prat?

O, bakit parang diring-diri ka yata saken ngayon? Wala. sabi niya, and with that he left. I looked at Maffy, who raised her brow.

Nag-away ba kayo?"

Ha? Hindi naman...

Eh anong nangyari doon?

Hindi ko rin alam, Ate...

Gelos POV:

Nakakainis naman eh. Pakiramdam ko talaga na-offend siya doon sa ginawa ko. Sa totoo lang hindi ko ginustong gawin yun. Kaso... baka kasi makita na naman ni Liam...

Pang-asar naman kasi eh. Sabi nang iiwasan ko na muna siya eh. Hindi ko muna kakausapin. Kahit tingnan lang, nagi-guilty ako eh. AMP! LABO!

Flashback:

Dude, sabihin mo nga saken, nagkakagusto ka na ba kay Ria?

Natigil ako sa paglalakad palabas ng locker room. I saw this coming, pero hindi ko ine-expect na ganun ka- straightforward. As in point-blank.

Anong sabi mo? sabi ko, at humarap ako sa kanya. He smirked mirthlessly.

Ang sabi ko, kung nagkakagusto ka na ba kay Ria...

Natulala ako sandali. Tinatanong ko rin sa sarili ko yung tanong na yun nitong mga nakaraang araw. Nalito ako. Hindi dahil hindi ko alam kung ano ang isasagot, kundi dahil I wasnt sure kung magugustuhan niya yung sagot ko.

Ha? Sus. Ano ka ba, sabi ko. I felt guilty kasi matagal na kaming magkaibigan, at ni minsan, hindi ko pa nagawang magsinungaling. Pero ngayon, lying felt much safer.

Hindi nga. Bakit ba?

Ewan ko. Na-sense ko lang kasi. Lagi mo rin kasi siyang nababanggit.

Ano ka ba, nagiging close lang kami. Wala yun.

Hindi na siya nakasagot. Nagkibit-balikat na lang siya. Ikaw ba? tanong ko. Hindi ko alam, pero ni hindi ko pinag-isipan yun, lumabas na lang ng kusa sa bibig ko. Matagal tagal rin ang hinintay ko bago siya nakasagot.

Oo. Noon pa.

Ayun na. Nasabi niya na. Bata pa lang pala sila, ganun na. Kaya pala ganun na lang sila asarin nung mga kapatid nilang nakakatanda.

Somehow, na-sense ko na hindi niya sinabi sa akin yung just for the sake na malaman ko. I mean, kung gusto niyang sabihin saken, edi sana noon pa diba? After all, were supposed to be best buds.

It was clearer than I thought it was. He didnt tell me because he wanted me to know. He told me because he thought I was moving in and he wanted me to fcuk off and stay away from her. Ganun naman yun diba?

Self-explanatory. Its all a matter of respect. The first one who gathers the courage to say something, which is never easy under any circumstances, gets the right to make the move. Everyone else should back off.

And I had let him win.

Nice one, Liam.

Chapter Eleven

Gelos POV:

Huy.

Grabe. Ang hirap umiwas pag ganito kakulit. Vacant period ngayon. 3 days ko na siyang pinipilit iwasan. Determined talaga siya. Kainis. Pag ganito nang ganito hindi ko na talaga siya matitiis.

Ano ba, Gelo, kakainis ka naman eh! Ibalik mo na kasi yung ballpen kong hiniram mo nung Friday! Porket ayaw mo nang ibalik, ayaw mo na rin akong kausapin. sabi niya. Napatingin naman ako.

Weh? May hiniram nga akong ballpen sayo? tanong ko. Tiningnan niya ako na parang naiinis siya saken. Tapos, biglang ngumiti. Hay sa wakas, pinansin mo rin ako. Wala noh. Bakit ba hindi mo ko kinakausap simula nung Monday?

Langya... ang lakas ng gimik ah.

Tss. Ewan ko sayo.

Tumayo ako sa kinauupuan ko. Pinuntahan ko si Liam at nakipagpalit ng upuan. Hindi ko ugali ang makipagpalit ng upuan, pero ayoko na kasing natutukso akong kausapin, tingnan at harutin si Ria. D*mn, shutting feelings out is a frickin hard business.

Pero ang nakakainis pa dito, nafo-force akong panuorin sila habang sila yung magkausap at nagbibiruan. Para akong nanonood nang teleserye, but unlike those who watch those crap, hindi ako naeentertain. Hindi ako naeexcite. Yung mga tao kasi sa paligid nagsimula na silang pagtsismisan, na akala mo mga artista. Sabagay, pareho naman silang popular sa school. Palagi na nga naman kasing magkausap, magkasama, tapos sabay pa umuwi. Lagi pang dala ni Liam yung gamit ni Ria pag bumababa sila sa lockers.

Dun na naman siya nakatingin... said a voice. I looked beside me and saw Irish, who looked equally gloomy. Ha?

Bingi.

Tss. Parang ewan naman tong taong to. I chose not to reply.

Ang sabi ko, dun ka na naman nakatingin, she repeated. I got a bit surprised. Bakit hindi na nagtataglish to? Makausap nga.

Andito ka pala ulit. Oo, dito na ko, remember? Diba, nung isang araw, napikon na si Sir Mar sa pag-aaway nina Zoe at Liam, so dito na ko nilagay, tas andun na si Zoe sa tabi ni Maffy.

Ah, ok. O, kumusta na nga pala yung best friend mo? I asked.

Best friend?

Duh, si Elle. Ah. Yun ba? Ayun, ganun pa rin, tuwang tuwa sa suspension niya. Nakapagbakasyon. Shes in Hong Kong. But I talked to her just the other night... Teka, bakit mo nga pala tinatanong?

Wala.

Nami-miss mo?

Natigilan ako. Ang usisera naman nito. Close ba kami?!

Well, I didnt think you would. After what happened to your... Oh my...

Napatingin ako sa kanya, sa tono kasi ng boses niya parang gulat na gulat. I saw her looking at my arm.

Oh your what?

Your arm! I thought this was nabuhusan ng mantika, why is it almost fully healed? she asked, looking closely at it. Ah, ito ba? May nagbigay kasi saken ng astig na ointment. Ayun, gumaling na, sagot ko. Natulala na lang ako, naalala ko na naman kasi. AMP. Nagiging madrama ako ah. Bakit nagdilim yang mukha mo? tanong niya ulit. Wala. Eh bakit ikaw din? Ah. Yun ba... ano kasi... wala na ko sa Starfish... she replied, staring at the floor. Anong nangyari? Hindi kami magkasundo eh... hindi ko na kasi gusto yung ginagawa namin... nila... kay Denise. Pati nga si Elle galit din sa akin just because I voiced my opinions out, she said. Naawa ako sa kanya, at the same time namangha. I never thought she actually had a conscience. Turning over a new leaf, huh?

It was her turn to get silent.

Buti ka pa, nagbabago. By that, I mean nakikita yung conscious effort. Nung naging kami ni Elle, sabi niya pipilitin niyang magbago. Pero wala eh. I got quite disappointed, I thought I was enough to make her do it.

So you really did like Elle.

Oo naman. Did you think I was just playing with her?

Yeah.

Well, it was nothing complicated. I liked her, she liked me, I thought it was that simple.

And you found out that it wasnt.

Yeah. Good thing I didnt fall that hard. But you just have.

Huh? I asked, puzzled.

Gelo, Gelo, Gelo. Im not blind. Nor am I stupid. If you think I couldnt see it, youre very much mistaken," sabi niya, casting a significant look at Rias direction.

Wow. Observant ka pala.

Yeah. To the point na para nang chismosa. Hindi naman, konti lang.

Ang cute mo.

Thanks. Pero alam ko na yun. Pity she couldnt see it, she said. Hindi ko alam ang gusto niyang palabasin. Nang-aasar ba to or what? Thats not the deal, I simply said.

Whats the real deal, then?

Sure you wanna know?

Of course. Youre my ex best friends ex, so yeah.

It can get boring, I warned her, kahit I desperately wanted a listener.

Ill get through it.

Rias POV:

Uwian na naman. Hindi na bumalik si Gelo sa tabi ko simula nung nakipagpalit siya kay Liam kanina, before lunch pa yun ah. Ano kaya nangyari dun? These past few days, grabe. If guys had monthly periods, I would have blamed it on that. But hindi eh. Ano kaya nangyari dun? Nagalit kaya saken?

Kasi ayaw ako kausapin, ayaw ako tingnan. Kinulit ko na nga ng kinulit. Wala pa rin. Kahit nga nung kinuha niya yung gamit niya dito sa upuan, hindi talaga namansin. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin, pinuntahan niya si Irish. Nagtatawanan pa nga silang lumabas ng classroom. In fairness, sila rin yung magkasama kaninang lunch. Feel na feel pa nga ang kwentuhan. Mukhang nakakarelate talaga sila sa isat isa, na ikinagulat ko kasi ang alam ko sobrang ayaw ni Gelo sa mga Starfish. Well, I shouldnt be wondering... after all, the Queen Starfish had been his ex.

Psst. Katuraaay, tara na.

Ok, I said.

Himala, you didnt protest. Like its of any use. You never listen anyway. Aww. Tampokulangot? Natawa naman ako.

Ayan. I just love it when you laugh.

BOLERO.

No, its true.

Whatever.

You never believe me. Am I not credible enough?

Are you seriously asking me that question?

Yeah. Im serious as hell.

No, you LOOK like hell.

Yabang mo! Ang gwapo ko kaya.

Sinong may sabi?!

Nanay ko bakit?!

At nagtawanan kami ng malakas sa corridor.

Liam, may practice daw ng soccer, sabi ng teammate niya as he passed by. D*mn it, I heard Liam say under his breath. Ano ka ba, ok lang yun. Eh paano ka, mukha pa namang pabuhos yung ulan oh, Liam told me. Ok lang ako. Punta ka na dun, magpalit ka na. Mapagalitan ka pa ni Coach.

Pabayaan mo siya, halika na.

Gusto mo nito? I asked, clenching my fist in front of him.

Whoa, Pacquiao, hold it...

Sige na, go. Chupi!

Hoy katuray, wag mo kong machupi chupi, hindi ako askal!

Oo na, sige na! Male-late ka na! Babay!!!

I watched him as he turned his back and left. I turned on the spot and bumped into something solid yet again. Okay ka lang? I asked. It was Irish. Ulit.

Yeah, yeah wow, we do seem to be bumping into each other a lot.

Err. Yeah. Hehe. So sige Gotta go

Hey, wait. Actually, kanina pa kita hinahanap.

Huh? Bakit naman?

I was gonna ask you something.

Erhh. Yeah?

Si Maam Vicky kasi. She wants me to ask you if you can fill in as Elles replacement.

Hindi ako nakasagot. Tama ba yung narinig ko?!

Haha. Youre serious? I asked, smirking lightly.

Actually, yeah.

You do know how ironic that is, dont you?

Yeah I do. But sana wag mong isipin na well, kasi Maam Vicky chose you as the most appropriate person for the job. And I do think she made the right choice thats why Im here, asking you.

Oh. Is that so? Tapos ano? Gagawin niyo akong plaything na aapak-apakan niyong mga Starfish sa practice? I asked her, unable to restrain myself. She smiled bitterly, which had been quite unusual.

No. Im not going to make a plaything out of you. And yeah. Hindi na ako Starfish.

Whoa. That was a bomb. Or baka this is another one of her pranks? But no. Irish was never a very good actress. I dont think she could have pulled this facial expression off kung hindi naman totoo yung sinabi niya.

I wouldnt expect you to believe me. But in case you change your mind about joining, you can come and tell Maam Vicky.

I Im sorry about that, I said.

Nah, dont be. And to be honest, I dont blame you for thinking that Im bluffing. Ive been such a b*tch all my life.

Well, I wont contradict that. Pero everyone deserves a chance.

You think I do?

Yeah, why not? I mean, if they could give out paroles to convicted murderers, bakit hindi pwedeng bigyan ng chance ang mga erm I said, unable to find a tactful term. Raving, monstrous, and uncivilized slutty? she asked.

Thats rather harsh. But its true, she said. Nagkatinginan kami. Hindi ko akalain na makakausap ko si Irish ng ganito. Pero gumaan ang loob ko.

So yeah. I think its time to bury the hatchet. Truce? she asked me, extending her hand for me to shake.

I went and took it. Like her apology, her hand was warm.

Oh, sige. Andito na yung sundo ko sabi niya, pointing to an approaching car.

Bye. Ingat, I said, letting go of her hand and waving. She waved back, and got into the car. Ako naman bumaba na sa front steps. Naglakad lakad na ako, wondering if that had really happened. Have I really just made up with Irish Beltran?

I felt a heavy drop on my face. But heck, Im not crying Am I? Ang emotional ko naman... nakipagbati lang saken si Irish, naiyak na ko?

Oops. Gaga. Hindi pala. Bigla lang palang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. Hmph. Ngayon pa mandin, ang layo na ng nalakad ko e! I fumbled inside my bag and

FUDGE.

WALA AKONG PAYONG.

Chapter Twelve

Rias POV:

Anak naman ng?! At ngayon ko pa talagang natiyempuhang makalimutan ang payong ko sa bahay?! Lechugas naman, akalain ko ba naman kasing bigla na lang bubuhos ng malakas yung ulan, eh ang init init kaninang umaga? Malayo na tuloy yung nalakad ko

Kumaripas ako ng takbo pabalik ng school, kasi wala akong mahanap na ibang masisilungan. Grabe, basang basa na ako pag-abot ko doon. Wala rin si Manong Guard Patay ako

So paano ako?! Stranded until the rain stops pouring? No I cant do that Teka?

Maffy shes in the other building. Lalo akong mababasa kung pupunta pa ako doon. Kung hihintayin ko naman, hanggang 8:00 pm pa Liam? Soccer Practice. Hanggang 8:00 din yun, at mas grabe pa ang aabutin ko pag dun ako pumunta maliban sa mababasa ako, papagalitan pa ako ni Coach kasi ayaw na ayaw niyang may pumupunta sa players pag practice. Jonathan nako, sigurado nakauwi na yun Ah! Si Ate Danna! Magpapasundo na lang ako!

Sabay hugot ko ng cellphone sa bulsa. Teka, bakit nakapatay? Hala! Ayaw mag-on!

Shiyet nabasa pala! NOOOOOOO!

Ria?

Lingon naman ako. Bakit basang basa ka? sabi ni Gelo, sabay lapit saken. Aba, himala, kinakausap na ako ulit. Hindi ko nga pinansin. Kailangan ko pa palang magmukhang basang sisiw para lang pansinin niya ako ulit.

Oo nga pala, nakausap mo ba si Rish?

Rish? Sinong Rish? Si Irish. Hinahanap ka kasi niya kanina, he said, looking around, possibly hoping that his beloved Rish is still somewhere. Lalo akong naasar. Imbis na tulungan ako o pahiramin man lang ako ng payong o cellphone, eto siya, naghahanap kay RISH. Oo, nakausap ko si Rish, I said, putting a rather ugly emphasis on the last word. Nagkatinginan kami. Parang nagulat siya sa tono ng pananalita ko, tapos kumunot yung noo niya. Nakauwi na siya? tanong niya. Shete, isang tanong mo pa, naku! Oo, kanina pa. By nicknames na pala kayo? Yeah, he said, shrugging. Mukhang talagang enjoy ang pagiging seatmates, I said. Yeah, the same way na na-eenjoy niyo ni Liam kanina. Hindi naman pwedeng kayo lang, diba? he said

heatedly.

Nagkatinginan kami ulit.

Yeah. Oo nga naman! I said with a lot of sarcasm. Pero wala naman kasing ibig sabihin yun, cause weve known each other for years!

Oh really? So just because Rish and I havent known each other as long as you and Liam did, ibig sabihin may malisya na yun? Is that what youre trying to say?

I threw him a nasty look.

Well, ikaw ang nagsabi nun, hindi ako, I told him, satisfied at the look on his face.

Thats nothing, compared to the pet names you and Liam have, diba, KATURAY?

Aba?!

HOY! Nag-aaway ba kayo?

Lingon naman kaming pareho sa biglang pagsulpot ni Manong Guard out of nowhere.

Hindi po. Ang sweet nga namin ni KATURAY eh.

YOU SHUT UP!

Tigilan niyo nga yan.

Manong Guard, baka naman pwedeng makahiram ng payong nang makalayas na ko sa lugar na to?

Naku, hija, nahiram nang lahat, wala na rito.

@#%^! Paano yun?!

Ako, may payong sa locker, sabi ni Gelo. Hindi ko tinatanong kung may payong ka. I said. He shrugged and walked away. Hah. Serves him right.

Sundan mo na. Para bati na kayo, sabi ni Manong Guard, na tonong nang-aasar pa. Sinimangutan ko lang siya habang nag-iisip ako kung paano makakaalis.

Nagseselosan pa kasi eh.

Excuse me, Manong Guard, hindi selosan yun. Kadiri noh.

If you say so.

Abah, sosyal si Manong Guard. Ka-liga na ni Inday. I shook my head and sat on the bench beside the Guards Desk.

O, eto na oh.

I looked up and saw Gelo handing me an umbrella. I was speechless. I didnt really hear him come back. Nilapag niya sa tabi ko yung payong.

Sige ha, pagagalitan na ako ni Coach. Ingat ka, sabi niya, and then umalis na ulit. He was a long way already when I found my voice back.

TEKA! HOY! MAY GAGAMITIN KA BA?

Kumaway lang siya. When I looked again, wala na siya dun. Chapter Thirteen

Jonathans POV: RRRRIIIIINNNNGG!

SA WAKAS! Natapos rin! Lunch time na, at dahil Friday ngayon kasabay namin ang Integ. Hmm, mahanap nga si Lance para maka-bonding naman nina Maffy

O nasaan na yun?

Nawawala na naman? Pambihira.

JON!

Lingon naman ako.

O, Maffs! Sabay ka sa amin?

Oo naman.

Sinong hinahanap mo?

Si Lance. Pasabayin ko sana saten.

Eh nasaan ba?

E kung alam ko hindi ko na hahanapin. Si Ria ba nasaan? Ayun oh, said Maffy, pointing over her shoulder. I looked and saw Ria, who was standing behind Maffy. She was staring into empty air, apparently unconcerned of what was going on.

Hi cuz! sabi ko, trying to jerk her back into reality. She just looked at me and forced a smile. I pulled Maffy aside. Ano yan? Emo? I asked in a low voice so Ria wouldnt hear.

Hindi ko rin alam.

Pumunta na kami ng canteen, bumili kami ng food at umupo na.

Ria, ok ka lang?

Ah? Eh, ok lang.

Kanina ka pa tahimik.

Ah. Nagi-guilty lang ako.

Bakit? Anong ginawa mo? I asked, and Maffy poked me with her elbow to shut up.

Hindi, kasi pinahiram ako ni Gelo ng payong kahapon. Wala na pala siyang payong na iba, ayun siya yung nabasa. Siya tuloy yung maysakit.

Ngek. Eh hindi mo na kasalanan yun, hindi mo naman siya pinilit na ipahiram sayo yung payong niya.

Kahit na. Ang dami tuloy niyang na-miss na lesson.

Pero in fairness ah, kahit alam niyang wala siyang ibang payong, pinahiram niya pa rin sayo Iba na yata yun mare

Tumigil ka nga, Maffy. Mas mababaliw yang si Ria sa pinagsasabi mo.

Bakit, eh totoo naman eh? Ikaw nga, kung malakas ang ulan tas wala ka nang ibang payong, ipapahiram mo pa ba saken?

Oo naman!

Ipokrito!

Hindi noh!

At bakit?

Mahal kaya kita?!

I dont know why, but I think Im getting delirious. Is Maffy blushing?

Ayan na naman kayong dalawa, parang ewan ano, puntahan ko kaya?

Puntahan? Ok ka lang? Ang pangit naman yatang tingnan

Ang dumi ng isip mo!

Thats not what I mean.

What exactly do you mean, then?

Duh, mare He means Liam, sabi ni Maffy. Ano ba, bakit ba naniniwala kayo sa tsismis na nililigawan ako nun? Saka kung totoo man yun, wala naman siyang karapatang

Ssshhh! Maffy said suddenly.

Bakit?

Maffy used her mouth to indicate that someone was coming. And true enough, there was Liam, approaching us. Agad akong lumipat sa tabi ni Maffy para makaupo si Liam.

O! Kamusta?! he said in a ridiculously loud voice. Nakipag-high five pa sa akin.

Ok lang sabi ni Ria.

Ang hyper mo yata ngayon? tanong ni Maffy. Tiningnan ko siya and I noticed that her cheeks were still pink. Ano kaya nangyari dun?

Oo naman! DVD Friday kaya ngayon?! Ang tagal na kasi nating hindi nagagawa yun tas ngayon eto na naman tayo! Isnt that cool?

Nga naman. Simula kasi noong umalis sina Ate Danna at Kuya Toff para mag MA studies sa NYU, hindi na namin ulit nagawa yun. Noon kasi, halos linggo linggo kaming pumupunta sa bahay nina Ria para lang manood ng kung ano ano. Hindi pa nga DVDs noong mga unang beses eh, Betamax pa yata.

So ano? Tuloy tayo ha? sabi ni Liam. Nakakahawa naman ang energy nito. I looked at Ria, expecting her to say something, but she didnt. I almost breathed a sigh of relief.

Oo naman, Maffy said, sparing me a look. I can tell na pareho kami ng iniisip. Palagay ko, ayaw niya ring makita ang magiging reaction ni Liam once he finds out that Ria has other plans

Especially when those plans concern that Gelo guy. Just the other day, he told me about his plans of finally asking Ria out after those looong years, and that hes afraid that Ria might have fallen for Gelo instead.

I remember telling Liam not to fret because Ria would know better than that. Pero sa nakikita ko ngayon kay Ria, mukhang hindi yata tama yung sinabi ko. Talaga yatang dapat kabahan si Liam. Since nasa harap namin sila, I chose to just text Maffy.

Ui, nu ggwn ntn?? At mukha kaming ewan. Magkatabi pero magkatext.

Bkt? Ewn ko dn.

Pnu pg tnuloy n Ria pgpnta dn?

D ña 22loy un. Pgilan ntn

Cge b

Bhla n mmya.

Nako patay. Ang quintessential bahala na. Hindi pa naman dependable ang mga bahala na ni Maffy Gulo talaga to pag nagkataon.

Nadala ko yung kunsumisyon hanggang sa classroom. Nakalimutan ko nga ring usisain si Lance kung saan ba siya nagpunta.

Hanggang sa dumating ang uwian, at mabilis pa ako sa Ferrari na pumunta sa tapat ng classroom ng Integ. Sakto namang lumabas si Maffy.

Si Ria?

Nauna na... Ang bilis nga eh! Hindi ko na napigilan!

Ano?! Shoot! Halika na dali!

Fast Forward Bahay nina Ria

ATE DAN? *ding dong*

Oh! Aga niyo ah. MAFFY!!! said Ate Danna, who ran and hugged Maffy. Ngayon lang kasi sila nagkita simula nung umalis si Ate Danna.

Teka, bakit hingal na hingal kayo? Saka Jonathan, bakit ganun ka makatawag, for a while I thought some psycho was chasing you or something. Pasok nga muna kayo. Hindi naman ako nakapagsalita kasi nga medyo hinihingal pa ako. The moment I entered the living room, I caught a strong waft of what smelled a lot like Clam Chowder soup.

Ang bango, Ate. Si Ria ba yung nagluluto?

Oo. Siya nagluto.

Asaan siya? I finally said.

Umalis sandali. May dala pa ngang isang malaking bowl ng soup

HA?! Maffy and I exclaimed together.

Bakit?

*ding dong* O, andito na rin si Liam! said Ate Danna, who ran to get the door.

Shoot! Paano yun?

Ewan ko!

Pagtakpan mo na lang pag nagtanong! sabi ko.

Sh!t ! Goodluck saken!

WOW! Ang bango! Si Ria nagluto? sabi ni Liam, who appeared out of nowhere. Mukhang talagang na-attract siya sa amoy ng soupni hindi kami napansin ni Maffy at dumeretso sa kitchen.

Sino pa nga ba. Si Toff nasaan na?

Papunta na. Pahingi ako ha? said Liam.

Oo naman. Uy! sabi sa amin ni Liam habang papunta naman ng dining table na dala dala pa ang umuusok na bowl.

Pasensya na, gutom na ako sabi ni Liam, at kahit mukhang kumukulo pa ang kinakain niya eh dere-deretso ang subo.

Asus, kahit naman hindi ka gutom nakikipagpatayan ka sa pagkain niyan.

Syempre, luto ni Ria eh! Asaan na nga pala yun?

Ah si Ria started Maffy, but Ate Danna was too quick for her.

Naku, umalis lang sandali. Ibabalik lang daw yung hiniram niyang payong kahapon, sabi ni Ate Danna. Maffy and I exchanged looks of horror as we saw Liam stop midway through his umpteenth spoonful. Ha? Talaga? sabi ni Liam, his eyes wide. Oo. Nagdala nga rin ng soup eh h. Nagkasakit daw kasi yung hiniraman niya. Paa ano ba naman kasi, wala namang extra, pinahiram pa. Ayuun, siya yung naulanan. Kumusta naman, nakon nsensya yung kapatid ko. In fairness, ang bait nung taoao ah. Kaya sabi ko naman, aba dapat lang na dallhan niya ng food. Ang bait sa kanya eh! Naman Ate Danna! Ngayon ka pa na agkwento in detail! Maffy and I watched Liam drop his s spoon.

O, bakit?

Ah. Sorry Ate. I I kinda lost m my appetite.

And with that, he left. Binalingan ni Maffy si Ate Danna, who was smiling smugly.

ATE! What were you thinking?

Ano ba. Kung hindi tayo kikilos, , he wont move forward.

Ate naman, nagalit nga eh! Paa ano pa yun?

I just made him realize na hind di pwedeng ganyan siya ng ganyan. Hindi lang siy ya ang lalaki sa mundo kaya anytime, pwedeng agawin sa kanya ang kapatid ko. You think making him jealous iss bound to make him realize all that?! I said incr redulously.

Youll see.

Chapter Fourteen

Rias POV:

Ito na ba yun?

Wow. Ang laki grabe!

Siguro pag g pumasok ako, maliligaw ako sa loob. Pero bakit ganun, iba yung aura ng bahay elegante siya, pero malungkot. Walang kahit anong traces ng warmth. Sabi nga nila, a cold palace Siguro nga if Grimmauld place had d a real-life counterpart, this would have been it. TAO PO? sabi ko, remembering t the reason why I came here. Walang sumagot. Tuming gin ako sa may gate, at asus! May doorbell naman pala! Makailang beses kong napindot yun pero wala pa rin talagang lumabas o sumigaw man la ang. Pero imposible naman yatang walang tao.

Naku, bahala na. Tiningnan ko ng m mabuti yung gate and I realized that it wasnt even lockked. Aba! Adik pala ito eh! Sa laki ng bahay na ito, anytime pw wede silang pasukin ng magnanakaw, tapos ganito at h hindi naka-lock! Jusme, edi kung magnanakaw pala aako edi patay na! Malilimas ko na lahat ng kayamanann nina Gelo!

I closed the gate behind me and wennt straight to the front doors. Pagpasok ko, I realized I was in the living room. It was kinda dark, and the only light t in the room was coming from the gigantic television set, which was left open. On the couch in front of it was a cur rled up creature na balot na balot ng kumot si Gelo!

Naawa ako sa itsura niya. Nung lum mapit ako, he looked much worse. Sobrang putla, even n his lips were devoid of color.

Nilagay ko yung kamay ko sa noo niiya. SHETE, nag-aapoy sa lagnat si kumag! Nako, at mukhang tulog na tulog tallaga siya, ni hindi naramdaman yung kamay ko sa mu ukha niya Gusto ko siyang gisingin para tanun ngin kung kumain na ba siya or uminom man lang ng g gamot Pero nitong mga nakaraang araw, h hindi kasi naging maganda yung pakikitungo niya sa ak kin, something na talagang hindi ko maintindihan. Ano o naman kayang nagawa ko sa kanya? Wala naman ak kong matandaan na nagawa or nasabi kong masama

Napatingin ulit ako sa kanya, at hind di ko napigilang titigan siya ng matagal. Matagal ko naang alam na gwapo siya, pero hindi ko kahit kalian na-apprec ciate yun. Dahil nga siguro sikat siya and all that. Dati i, akala ko, kapareho siya ng mga kaibigan niya. Puro mababa aw. Mayabang.

Pero sobrang mali Naging super ju udgmental pala ako Buti na lang, I looked again. Kung h hindi

OH SH!T.

Nagising siya!

Gelos POV:

Oh darn. My heads throbbing like HHELL. Hindi ko mabukas yung mata ko. Gabi na? Naririnig ko pa yung TV, nakalimuta an ko na palang patayin. Nakatulugan ko na yung pano onood

Finally, namulat ko ang mata ko.

My gawd. I must be dreaming. Or peerhaps Im just delirious. Ang gandang panaginip naman nito! !

But wait. Its real! DARN! I LOOK LIKE HELL!

What are you doing here?! I asked in total horror. She simply stared at me.

HA? Ah, eh i ibabalik ko lang g sana yung payong mo

Grabe yung kaba ko. Hindi ko alam kung kaba lang ba talaga, eh parang halo-halo na! Du umagdag pa yung fact na balot ako ng kumot, magulo ang buhhok at may muta pa yata!

Ah, teka, kumain ka na ba? tan nong niya bigla. Na-touch naman ako. Concerned siya a sa akin?

Damn. I feel myself blushing Hindi pa bakit mo natanong? sabi ko, finally standing up. May dala ako sobra kasi yung naluto wala, naisipan ko lang sabi niya, sabay turo nung bowl sa table.

S-salamat ha? sabi ko. Pasensya na ha, makalat.

Ok lang. Mag-isa ka?

Oo eh. Umalis yung maid. Saka wala si Mommy. Iniwan ka dito? Eh maysakit ka?! sabi niya. Napatingin ako sa kanya. Ah sorry ha pakialamera ba?

Nginitian ko na lang siya. Hindi ako makapaniwalang totoo palang nandito siya sa harap ko Hindi naman. Buti nga andito ka I said, unable to restrain myself.

Kasalanan ko naman kung bakit ka nagkasakit eh.

Nalungkot naman ako sa sinabi niya. So ibig sabihin na-guilty lang siya?

Ikaw naman kasi wala ka naman palang ibang payong, binigay mo pa saken.

Eh pano kung ikaw yung hindi nakauwi, sige nga?!

Natahimik kami ulit

Tsaka akala ko kasi may masasabayan ako noon kaya binigay ko na lang sayo, sabi ko. Hindi naman sa ayaw kong magpa-obvious. Totoo namang dapat eh susunduin ako ni Mommy noon. Kaso hindi na ako sinipot Ganoon ba? sabi niya na lang. Napansin kong pilit na lang yung ngiti niya pagkasabi ko noon.

Nasaktan din ba siya? Did she want me to say na concerned ako sa kanya? Kasi sa totoo lang yun din ang gusto kong marinig

Ok lang ba kung dito ka na lang muna? tanong ko. Tiningnan ko siya, silently begging her to stay. Right now, wala akong ibang gusto kundi makasama siya sana pumayag siya Oo naman sabi niya, at ngumiti siya sa akin.

Sobrang natuwa ako. I felt the overwhelming urge to hug her pero pinigilan ko ang sarili ko the mere act of asking her to stay with me was already like a betrayal kay Liam ayoko nang madagdagan. Tama na siguro yung kasama ko siya dito.

O, akala ko ba, kakain ka? sabi niya. Oo nga pala.

Sinamahan niya ako sa dining table.

Ikaw nagluto? Oo naman. Sabi niya. Nakita kong napatingin siya sa braso ko. Hey, about the other day sorr ry ha? sabi ko, having been reminded of how I had a acted towards her the other day.

Ok lang yun Kalimutan mo na a.

I owe you one.

Dont mention it.

Clam Chowder ba to? Ang bang go! sabi ko, taking a sip.

Yup, sabi niya. Ang sarap niya maagluto Grabe. Para kang si Liam kung kkumain.

Natigilan ako. Whoa, I must admit I I didnt see that coming.

Ganun? sabi ko, faking a laugh. I I saw her eyes wander over the picture frames nearby y. Napatagal ang tingin niya dun sa isang pinaka-kakaiba sa a lahat.

Nagtataka ka ba kung bakit put tol? I asked her.

Erm yeah. Sorry didnt meann to I mean, if your dont wanna"

Talk about it?

Sorry.

Dont say sorry. Im cool with it t. You see hiwalay na parents ko.

I carefully avoided her eyes dahil sig gurado akong awa ang makikita ko doon

Maraming nagtaka kung bakit p pagdating ko ng High School, nagsibagsakan ang g grades ko. I wouldnt think you were one of them

No, no. I wondered. Yun ba yun ng time na alam mo na?

Oo. My mom got kind of tired. S See, dad was only forced to marry her because h he had gotten her pregnant. He had a girlfriend the en. My mom hoped hed learn to love her throughh the years, but unfortunately hindi nagawa ni Dad yun. And then my mom discovered na my d dad was still seeing the other woman

Oh my god. And he even had a daughter witth his old girlfriend. Kaya pala they kept seeing each other. My mom didnt get the whole point, said s she was tired and she couldnt stand it, so she ch hucked him out of the house. He went to the States. I n never saw him again

Galit ka ba sa Dad mo?

Kung sasabihin kong hindi, ipok krito ako. Pero nabawasan na. Hindi na galit yun ng nararamdaman ko. Tampo na lang siguro. Sinusuporrtahan niya ako financially. Pero ni sulat, e-mail,, tawag wala.

Have you tried to contact him?

No. My mom forbade me to do s so.

Katahimikan.

Can you promise me not to tell anyone?

Of course.

Ikaw pa lang ang pinagsabihan n ko. Kahit si Liam hindi niya alam.

Talaga?

Oo naman.

Thanks for trusting me with itt

Well I know its safe with you.

I looked at her as though I could ne ever look at her properly enough I never thought

*BEEP*

Cellphone niya. Shete, panira ng mo omentum.

Ohmigosh.

Bakit? Something happened?

Hindi. Nakalimutan ko DVD Fr riday namin nina Maffy ngayon. I I gotta go.

Kainis naman itong si Maffy. Hay. Sige una ka na

Ok ka lang dito?

Oo naman. Ill be alright, dont worry about me

Syempre ok na ako nakasama na a kita

Sure ka?

Oo nga sabi. Umalis ka na nga. Baka magbago pa isip ko.

Sige ha. Wag mo kalimutan yun ng gamot mo.

I watched her hanggang makalabas na siya ng pinto namin. Hindi ko na siya maalis sa isi ip ko pagkatapos noon

I felt I couldnt play the martyr any longer. I cant let her go just like that Hindi Hindi ko kakayaning ipaubay ya na lang siya ng ganoon lang.

Sabihin na ni Liam ang gusto niya Wala na akong pakialam.

From now on, hindi ko na siya iiwasaan. Hindi ko na itatago yung feelings ko. Sabihin nang g g@go akong kaibigan pero mahal ko si Ria. At sa ngayon, THAT is all that I care e about. Chapter Fifteen

Rias POV:

Well I know its safe with you.

I looked up at him, and our eyes met. I felt my heart racing Which was really weird. I never felt such a thing before except with

*BEEP*

My phone! Oh shoot. Why now?! It was Maffy. Wer u? Nklmtn m ba, DVD mrthon ntn ngayon!

Ohmigosh.

Bakit? Something happened?

Oh yea, something did theyve just ruined my moment with you! WHAT?! Ano ba naman itong pinag-iiisip ko...!

Hindi. Nakalimutan ko. DVD Friday namin nina Maffy ngayon. I I gotta go, I said, trying not to sound so depressed about leaving. I just wanted to be with him right now and I want it BAD.

Sige, una ka na. he told me. I cant help but think did he really want me to leave? Ok ka lang dito? sabi ko, secretly hoping hed tell me to stay to beg, even

I felt sick of myself! How could I possibly

Oo nga sabi. Umalis ka na nga. Baka magbago pa ang isip ko.

Aba, at tinaboy pa ako! Bahala siya! I managed a smile

Sige ha. Wag mo kalimutan yung gamot mo.

Malayo-layo na ang nalakad ko nang magtext ulit si Maffy.

Oi! Mgrep ka nman!

Im comin. Nearly ther.

Ngtmpo n c Liam. Umlis n.

HUH?! Anu drma nun? Amp.

Blisan mo n kce!

Anak ng tipaklong! At minadali pa ako.

Binilisan ko na ang lakad. Napakadalang magtampo ni Liam But all of them had sensible reasons.

Pero ngayon? Magwo-walkout just because I was late? Ive got to make him see some sense!

Well, sa totoo lang naman, hindi naman ako manhid eh. Alam ko na yung panunukso sa amin nina Ate, may ibig sabihin

Childhood crush ko si Liam, at alam ni Ate yun. Pero simula nung nalaman kong pareho kami ni Denise na may soft spot kay Liam, medyo tinigilan ko na. Hindi naman sa super martir effect ang gusto ko, pero ayoko nung ganung may kaagaw, baka magkagulo pa pag nagkataon. Tapos nung naging sikat pa si Liam sa school, I realized na mas marami pang magkakagusto sa kanya and I have a rather slim chance na mapansin niya

Hindi ko rin naman totally na-eliminate yung feelings ko for him. Hindi naman madali kasi lagi kaming magkasama, at ang lakas pa magpa-cute nung kumag na yun. Dagdag pa yung fact na ginagawa kaming loveteam ni Ate Danna at ni Kuya Toff. Nakakahiya na nga eh. Baka super obvious na ako, at iniisip niya super patay na patay ako sa kanya! Kunwari na lang dedma, kahit sa totoo lang maloka loka na ako pag tinutukso kami sa isat isa. Syempre hindi naman maaalis sa akin na isipin yung possibilities

But even if he doesnt ask me out, kuntento ako sa fact na super close kami. Somehow, takot din akong magbago yun, kasi yung friendship naming dalawa is something na I really cherish, and talagang hindi ako papayag na masira yun kaya as much as possible hindi ko pinapakita na may natitira pa akong feelings sa kanya.

I got my phone and started to text him. Liam, wer u? Ppnta nq s bhay b there, aright? Il c u ; )

Out of nowhere, pumasok na naman sa utak ko ang pagmumukha ni Gelo

Ano ba naman yung kanina. Nawindang naman ako. Ang gulo gulo. Natawa ako nang naalala ko yung hirit ni Maffy about Gelo. Well, hindi ko naman din maiwasang isipin na baka totoo nga yun, pero sabi naman ni Gelo kanina akala niya may masasabayan siya kaya binigay niya na lang sa akin. So that might as well be a giveaway na wala lang talagang ibig sabihin yung pagpapahiram niya nung payong na yun. Mahirap din naman kasing maging feelingera lalo na kung wala naman talaga.

Siguro nagi-guilty lang ako. Guilt naman talaga yung dahilan kaya nagsimula to eh una yung nabuhusan siya ni Elle ng isang kawaling kumukulong mantika. Ngayon, eto naman my excessive concern was perhaps due to the fact that I held myself responsible for all those things that had happened to him. Ako naman talaga yung parang nasisi sa away nila ni Elle, at hindi naman siya dapat na magkakasakit kung hindi niya pinahiram saken yung payong.

Pero hanggang ngayon palaisipan saken yung pag-iwas niya. Mood swing lang kaya yun? But I havent heard of a mood swing that lasted for four days or was he perhaps a rare case?

Ang nakakainis lang eh yung fact na may pakialam ako na iniiwasan niya ako. Dati-rati naman, bago kami naging magkatabi, hindi naman talaga kami nagpapansinan. Minsan dumadaan ang mga schoolyear na hindi ko matandaang nakausap ko siya or anything.

Siguro dahil nga iba na ngayon. Magkaibigan na kami. Kahit sino naman kasi ang umiwas saken na kaibigan ko, maski si Denise, si Maffy, si Liam or si Jon syempre may pakialam ako.

Oh my gosh Ive just realized am I rationalizing my own feelings?!

Ang labo naman kasi talaga. Gusto ko lang namang linawin sa sarili ko kung ano ba talaga

Pero ano ba yung kilig-like thing na naramdaman ko noon? Nung hinawakan niya yung kamay ko? Nung sinabi niyang he knows that his secret is safe with me? Nung nagkatinginan kami?

What the hell. I cant possibly

RIA! Ano ba, anong petsa na, ang bagal mong maglakad!

Jusme, sa kakaisip ko, hindi ko namalayang andoon na pala ako sa street namin, at nandoon na pala si Maffy sa tapat ng bahay at nagsisisigaw Andyan na ako!!!

Babaitang yun! Well, kaya lang naman ganoon si Maffy kasi ayaw niya nung nagkakatampuhan kami. Matagal na kaming magkakaibigan at siya yung voice of reason namin kapag nagkakaroon ng tension. At ang gusto niya, however big the quarrel was, ma-resolve agad para daw hindi na lumaki. Kaya siguro ako pinagmamadali para makausap ko na agad si Liam

Asaan na siya? Hindi pa ba kayo nag-start? tanong ko.

Paano kami mag-start, eh tatlo pa kayong kulang? sabi ni Jonathan, who was standing beside Maffy. Mukha ngang kanina pa nila ako hinihintay.

Bakit naman kasi ang tagal mo? Eh ang aga mo daw umalis dito sabi ni Ate Danna.

Si Gelo kasi eh, wala siyang kasama sinamahan ko muna

Gelo ka na ng Gelo diyan Eh kung dun ka na kaya tumira?!

HALA. Pati si Maffy nag-drama na! Tigilan niyo na nga yan, tara na sa loob, sabi ni Jon, obviously sensing na nagkakainisan na kami ni Maffy. Sige na, pupuntahan ko lang sandali si Liam

Punta naman ako sa kabilang bahay para na rin magpalamig ng ulo. Galit na nga sa akin si Liam pati itong si Maffy nakikigulo rin. Pang-asar! Visit lang naman yun kay Gelo nagiging super BIG DEAL! D@mn it!

Deretso naman ako sa loob ng bahay nina Liam. Nakita ko si Tita Yolly sa couch. Tita, si Liam po?

Ha? Andoon sa taas, kasama ng Kuya niya. Puntahan mo na.

Thanks, Tita!

Saktong papunta ako sa stairs when I heard footsteps. Oh. Its just Kuya Toff, midway through the steps.

O, Ria, watcha doin here?

There is something absolutely peculiar with the too-cool tone of his voice, so I immediately sensed na something was up.

Papunta na ako dun, tara sabay na tayo.

Kuya, si Liam? Ah? he asked, and then he was looking at a particular spot above his head. Naku, tulog na. May soccer practice pa daw kasi bukas.

Damn. Kuya Toff, you are the worst liar, ever! LIAM! I know youre there! I yelled, walking towards the stairs, Ria, tulog na siya! Wag kang maingay! said Kuya Toff, alarmed. LIAM! GET DOWN HERE OR ILL I started, but Kuya Toff was quick to cover my mouth.

Shut up!

Hija, MAG-HUNOS DILI KA! Nag-away ba kayo?! said Tita Yolly, who came running from the living room.

Wala ma, LQ lang nila ni Liam, well manage! said Kuya Toff as I struggled to talk. He was too strong and in no time he had dragged me outside.

What the BLOODY HELL were you thinking?! Magigising ang buong street!

Damn it, Kuya! Whys he playing the drama king!?

Ria, lets better not force it. Mas mag-aaway kayo kung pipilitin mo!

And who are you to tell me that?!

Stop yelling! Fine! Yeah, gang up on me, all of you! First its Liam, then Maffy You do seem to have developed a particular liking on hating me, havent you?!

Stop it! Were not ganging up on you! Listen.

But I have turned my back on him. He followed me and he was talking fast I didnt bother to listen.

I went straight to my room without dinner and without talking to anyone. I got the feeling that they were all talking about me but I dont really give a hoot about that right now. Basta. Kakausapin ko si Liam bukas, and I wont let him get away!

Chapter Sixteen(A)

Liams POV:

Oh? Ano pa ginagawa mo dito, tara na!

Wow. A la sais y medya na pala. Ang bilis, parang kanina lang andoon ako sa kabila at kumakain ng soup thirty minutes na pala ang lumipas.

Tiningnan ko lang si Kuya. Binagsak ko yung backpack sa kama at pinigilan ang sarili kong ipagtatapon ang lahat ng makita kong gamit.

Sige, kayo na lang

Problema mo?!

Wala. Leave me alone.

Wag ka ngang umabsent! Wala pang umaabsent sa atin tapos ayan ka, nagi-emo mode?! Pwede ba, cut it out.

I threw myself on the bed and shot him a nasty look.

Sige ka, magkapartner kami ni Danna tapos si Maffy at si Jon Kawawa naman si Ria, mag-isa

KAWAWA?! Shes not even there!

Huh? Baka naman male-late lang?

No, I know where she is

O, eh alam mo naman pala kung nasaan, hintayin mo na lang kasi.

I dont think you get it, Kuya shes with Gelo.

I watched his facial expression change.

Gelo?

Yeah, how many other Gelos do we know? Dont tell me

I wont tell you, then, I snapped.

Ooooh. Not very friendly.

Kuya, will you shut up? I said, turning my computer on. Konting RO lang siguro to, wala na. Sh!t, pati yung mouse gusto kong ibato kay Kuya!

Ayos ka rin eh noh? Sa lahat ng taong pagdududahan mo, si Gelo pa.

Well its not like wala akong basehan.

Eh ano naman kung pinuntahan siya? Duh, shes here almost every day! Sabay pa kayo umuwi lagi!

Natigilan ako

Tsaka jusko, pag ikaw yung maysakit laging andyan siya agad, may dalang kung ano-ano. Baka naman kasi na-guilty lang talaga. Tiningnan ko si Kuya.

You seem like you know everything.

Do I? he said, chuckling. Hindi naman.

May alam ka bang hindi ko alam, ha Kuya? I asked. Tiningnan ko siya at nakita kong ngumisi na iba ang ibig sabihin.

Naku, Liam. Marami.

Kaya ba kampante ka? tanong ko. Tumawa siya ng malakas.

The more time you waste, the more reasons you will get para ma-paranoid, sabi niya sa akin. Bumalik yung inis ko in full measure.

G@go ka ba Kuya?! Ang sabi mo sa aking plano, hintayin ko until the gig para dramatic, tapos ngayon youre telling me Im wasting time?!

Sige, magmura pa. Lalo kitang pabayaan diyan makikita mo.

KUYA NAMAN EH!

If you think its time for you to move, hindi mo kailangang isipin kung anong ipinayo ko o ipinayo ng kung sino. So you think its time to move?

Aba, eh hindi naman ako ang napaparanoid at naghihinala kay Gelo, bakit ako ang tatanungin mo?!

Ewan ko sayo Kuya! sabi ko, sabay concentrate sa computer. Sasagot na lang ng maayos hindi pa magawa!

Parang may narinig ako sa labas ah sabi ni Kuya, sabay lakad papunta sa bintana. Pinabayaan ko lang siya. Mukhang galit si Maffy ah? Hala ka bro, papunta na dito si Ria! sabi ni Kuya, at palabas naman siyang tumakbo.Napasunod naman ako Pakshet, anong gagawin ko?! Kakausapin ko ba? SH!T!!!

Tita, si Liam po?

Oh, shoot! Dont tell her Im here!

Ha? Andoon sa taas, kasama ng Kuya niya. Puntahan mo na.

Thanks, Tita!

PATAY!!! Tinulak ko si Kuya at sinenyasan siyang pigilan si Ria sa pag-akyat. O, Ria, watcha doin here? narinig kong sabi ni Kuya. Papunta na ako dun, tara sabay na tayo.

Kuya, si Liam?

Ah? sabi ni Kuya, at tumingin siya sa akin. I frantically signaled him to tell her na wala ako, mouthing, WALA, TULOG!

Naku, tulog na. May soccer practice daw kasi bukas, sabi ng Kuya ko. I breathed a sigh of relief, akala ko ibebenta niya ako.

LIAM! I know youre there!

Ria, tulog na siya! Wag kang maingay!

LIAM, GET DOWN HERE OR ILL

Shut up!

Narinig ko na ang boses ni Mommy, at nagkagulo na sila wala na akong maintindihan sa mga pinagsasabi nila I can tell na talagang naaasar si Ria I never really saw or heard her lose control before Ano bang gagawin ko? Pucha. Nabubuwisit na ako sa sarili ko Parang gusto ko siyang kausapin na hindi Hay naku bahala na nga!

KINABUKASAN

Rias POV:

Pak! Alas siete na ng umaga! Tanghali na, kainis talaga halos hind di ako nakatulog sa magkahalong confusion at inis. Ma akailang beses kumatok sina Maffy pero hindi ako lumabas, w wala ako sa mood

Bakit?! Akala ba nila sila lang ang m marunong magdrama?! PWES AKO RIN! Takbo ako sa kabilang bahay Saktoong labas ni Tita Yolly

Tita, Im so sorry to bother you u this early but is

Hija, Liam left early. You might t find him in school youre going to cheerleadin ng practice as well, right? Liam told me you were asksked to join.

OMGLOL. Oo nga noh?!

Rias POV:

Dali-dali akong nagbihis ng shirt at Nagkanda leche leche ako kasi nga

Chapter Sixteen (B) jjogging pants, kagaya ng suot ni Denise kapag umaal lis ng Saturday mornings. mmale-late ako, 8 o clock pala ang call time palagi! Shy yet talaga!

O? Ang aga pa? Saan ka pupunt ta?

Cheerleading.

Ha? I thought you didnt wa ant to join?

I thought so too I said while t tying my shoelaces. Can you give me a ride?

Syempre hey about last nighht, Maffy and Toff

Oh. Im so sorry about last nigh ht. I got so worked up about Liam.

They kind of understand. Si Mafffy kasi, alam mo naman At si Toff

Nakakahiya nga, nag-eskandalo o ako sa bahay nila I cringed nung naalala kong nagsisigaw ako kagabi sa harap ni Tita Yolly.

Ok lang yun. Si Liam din naman n kasi yung may kasalanan. Kabastusan din namaan kasi yung hindi siya humarap diba?

Oo nga Pero kahit na. Kakaus sapin ko siya and I swear I wont let him skive offf again.

You do have an idea why he act ted that way, dont you?

No I absolutely dont. Kaya nga a Ill go talk to him.

Kailangan mo ba talagang mag--join ng cheerleaders para makausap siya?

Hindi naman ako papapasukin s sa court pag hindi ako cheerleader noh, I said. A Ate rolled her eyes.

Ang swerte naman ni Liam ika aw pa ang gumagawa ng paraan.

Ano naman yang pinag-iisip mo o Ate? gnapakalakingkasalananmosakanya. Kasi naman. Nakakainis. Parang

Yun nga pinagtataka ko. Pinunt tahan ko lang naman si Gelo Wala namang mas sama dun diba?

Hindi naman kasi sa masama Kasi naman noh, eh kung hindi siya babagal-bag gal diba hindi ka parang ewan na walang alam Huh? Ano bang dapat kong mal laman?

OMG. Wala. I didnt say a thing.. Ill wait for you sa car, aright?

ATE!

But in a flash, she was gone. Lechug gas, ano na naman yun?!

Hindi ko tinigilang kulitin si Ate hang ggang pagsakay sa sasakyan, but it looks like shes m mastered the art of playing deaf. Hanggang sa tumirik ang sasa akyan ni ate

Damn! Were out of gas!

Ate naman! Kung kailan naman n malapit na eh!

Saglit, tatawagan ko si Toff

Haynaku ate! Sige na maglalaka ad na lang ako!

I had just started walking when Ria!

I spun around and saw familiar peop ple approaching but I barely had time to look at who o it was; one of them had just LITERALLY thrown herself at me e.

YAY! Youre joining us!

Susmarya. Si Irish pala! May kasam ma siyang kaklase naming babae, who was looking at m me, smiling.

Ang weird. Starfish to eh! Tuwing m makikita pa naman ako ng mga to kulang na lang kaini in ako ng buhay kasi ang sama ng tingin saken palagi.

So its true youll be Elles rep placement? sabi nung kasama ni Irish, whose na ame (I think) was Zoe. Ehhrm hindi replacement. Pag gbalik niya naman tatanggapin siya ulit eh.

I dont think so.

Ohmigosh. I cant believe this, said Irish, who could barely contain herself. She e looked happy. I cant help but think that the worlds gone MAD.

Tara na. Were late.

It felt really strange walking with thehese people. Dati I dont go anywhere near them Gan nito ba talaga pag wala si Elle? May mga nangyayaring milagro o?!

Oh, Ria Im so sorry if sobran ng short notice My birthday partys set for tonig ght. Can you come?

Dont worry. Elle isnt invited, dagdag ni Irish. Ah sige tingnan ko.

Oh come on, Ria. Were not hav ving a prank ready for you or something.

Well, yun naman talaga ang nasa isiip ko baka pagdating ko doon biglang may kung ano ong bangungot silang nakahanda.

OMG, of course she doesnt kno ow Ria the SS is gone. HA? I said, my eyes wide. Gra abe, that was quite a shock.

Yea. We followed Irishs lead. P Puno na rin kami

WHOA.

Gulat na gulat ka ah, said Irish, , and they burst out laughing. Natawa na rin ako sig guro sobrang bumilog din yung mata ko kanina

Mukhang totoo ngang wala na ang S SS. Lahat ng cheerleaders, ang warm ng welcome sa a akin. I even had a great time parang hindi nila ako ino-OP ggaya ng inasahan ko. Hindi na rin sila Taglish, and be est of all, hindi na nila inaalila si Denise.

After a while, pumito si Maam at su umenyas ng break. Salamat naman. Hilo na kasi ako s sa GUTOM...

Oh, si Coach yun diba? I heard Denise say. Uuuy. Sabay silang kakain! said Irish, which made me laugh to pieces.

Bumili kami ng pagkain sa friendly k kapitbahay na MiniStop at bumalik rin agad kasi wala pagdating nang nag-announce si coa ach.

Girls! Punta daw kayo sa audi, s sabi ng Maam niyo.

Sunod naman kami.

Audi? Whats going on?

Ewan ko din.

Ano kayang trip ni Maam?

Have you ever held your practic ce sa Audi? I asked.

Nah, never. Nakakapagtaka naman. nang table. Sakto naming

Pumasok kami sa madilim na audi, w walang ilaw maliban doon sa projector na puro blue sc creen naman ang nakikita ko

Out of nowhere a song started to play

What the? Suddenly, the blue screen was repla aced by a white background where words were flashin ng one by one

I know Ive been a total prat

Maam? Anong kalokohan ito?!

And Im sorry about last night

Hala. At si Maam dito pa yata nagpa alabas ng kalandian nila ni Sir I guess I just cant handle it any lon nger

This is SICK Asan na kasi si Sir?!

I decided I have to let you know

Yeah, and I have to get out of here before I start to barf! I turned around to go and bumped d into something solid. Where are you going?!

Whatre you doing here?! II asked, totally surprised to see him.

Duh?! Letting you know? he sa aid, gesturing towards the screen.

Anong?!

I really like you, Ria Will you be my girl?

I blushed furiously and turned to fac ce him again. I was speechless. The sound of my hear rt banging was louder to me than the song playing.

Oh my GOD, Ria. Please say som mething. Liam pleaded.

Chapter Seventeen

Maffy's POV:

Anong oras ka na naman ba um muwi, ha Francesca?

I looked up and saw my dad, bihis n na bihis na naman at kunot ang noo mukha tuloy siy yang chewing gum na nginuya ng dalawang araw!

Teka Sabado ngayon ah? Aalis na naman siya? Pfft. Parang hindi naman ako sanay

Ah, kagabi po? Mga past midnig ght I dont have a curfew anymore, diba Dad? I said, hoping to remind him that he had told me Ill be free tto go home anytime I want on my last birthday.

Saan ka ba nagpunta? he asked d, sitting down. Our maid handed him the newspaper. . Kina Ria po, DVD marathon.

Bakit doon pa? You have a flats screen and a DVD player in your own room.

Dumating po kasi si Ate Danna galing States.

Danna? The one taking her MAs s in NYU? The very same.

Oh, really. Bakit hindi mo gamit tin sa mas worthwhile na bagay ang oras mo? In nstead of staying up late watching movies, bakit hind di ka na lang nag-aral? Kailangan mo ng mataas na grades, just look at Ria and Danna

Eto na naman siya.

Kinukumparaa niya na naman ako kay Ria. Hes made a habit out o of comparing me to other girls pinsan ko, anak ng kumpare nniya kay Ria I cant help but wonder if hed be hap ppier if he had Ria as a daughter instead

But no Ria wouldnt like that, no onne would, for that matter. I mean, who would want a father whod treat them like some plain business asset or a t trophy to show off for everyone in the world to see?

Kasama niyo na naman ba yung g pinsan niyang delingkwente? said Dad, jerking me out of my reverie.

D@mn, it stung like MAD. Si Jon, de elingkwente? Dad, how dare you?! He is not a delinquent, Dad. My y voice was calm but firm.

Katahimikan.

So how would we call him? A go ood chain smoker? A well-behaved drunkard? Ho onestly, from what Ive heard from your teachers, hes n no good. Youd do well if you stayed away from t that sleazy bastard. There was a tinkle of metal; I had in nvoluntarily dropped my spoon. I felt myself shaking. Sinara ko ang mga mata ko and prayed to the heavens para bbigyan ako ng strength in biting back my retort. Tuma ayo ako with more force than I had intended and left. Mabutii na yun. Kahit ganun, ayoko pa ring bastusin ang Dad d ko hanggat kaya kong pigilin.

Where do you think youre goin ng, Francesca? tanong niya. I sensed the all-too o-familiar cold fury in his voice but I dont really care anymo ore. If I stayed, itd get much worse.

Org meeting, Dad. See ya later. .

Naburaot talaga ako sa sinabi ng Da addy ko. Insulting ME is one thing, but my friends? ?! This has to be too much.

Hindi naman kasi kasalanan ni Jon n na lumaki siyang walang ama. Hindi niya rin kasalanan n na nagkulang ang mommy niya sa disiplina habang pin napalaki siya.

Ano kaya ang mas mahirap? Yung siitwasyon kong may tatay nga, pasaway naman o yu ung wala na lang talagang tatay?

Naku. Nakakainis naman talaga. I drove myself to school. Buti na lan ng andyan ang mga kaibigan ko na siguradong magpa apakalma sa akin mamaya

Speaking of friends, medyo nagkagu ulo kami ni Ria kagabi, and I HAVE to say sorry mama aya. I miss her already Sana lang maging okay kami.. sana sila rin nina Liam. Hindi kasi ako sanay ng may tamp puhan o kung ano pa mang kaguluhan sa amin.

Sa totoo lang kasalanan ni Liam eh. . Ang arte kasi! Kalalaking tao, maarte pa sa dilang m maarte! Wala naman siyang dapat ikagalit! Oh, mali pala. Wala siyang KARAPAT TANG magalit. Aba, feelingero siya ha Bakit sila na b ba?! Eh manligaw nga hindi niya magawa! I reached school in less than ten minnutes. Wala naman kasing traffic. Pagpasok ko, mga ttaong nagchichismisan agad ang nabungaran ko. Ano ba na aman itong mga ito ang aga aga pa, chismax to ddeath agad! At wag ka, may mga lalake pa!

Naku, dumeretso na nga ako sa tam mbayan namin. What I didnt expect was Jonathan han nging around in there. Pagkakita niya sa akin, sabay takbo niya na parang gusto akong yakapin sa sobrang tuwa a. Ano ba nangyari sa taong to? Pero wag ka, sana nga ya akapin niya ako!

Ang tagal mo naman dumating Maffy, kanina pa kita hinihintay!

Hinihintay daw? Abat kinilig ang Lol la Maffy niyo.

Bakit? Ano bang meron? At bak kit ang daming tao sa labas? Teka, ano rin ang gi inagawa mo dito? May practice ka diba?

Ang dami mo namang tanong! sabi niya sabay tawa. Ang kyut niya, amp! Hindi nga?

You wont believe this, but

Ill try.

Si Ria na saka si Liam!

Ha? Ano daw?

Kelan? Paano?

Kanina daw sa audi!

Ohmigosh. I cant believe it! Ang biliis!

Paano teka, bakit nagawi si R Ria dito?

Sumali sa cheerleaders.

JUSKO. Balita overload Maffy? Still there? sabi ni Jon, s sabay kaway ng kamay sa mukha ko. Ok ok. I am. Na-shock lang ako o. Nasaan ba sila?

Hindi ko rin alam. This calls for a celebration! Inuman tayo mamaya?

Naku, eto na naman si lasenggo!

Ay, gagu oo nga pala. Party n ni Zoe tonight punta tayo?

That completely got my mind off Ria a and Liam. Did Jon just ask me to go with him? OMGLLOL! Irishs POV: Oh my God. Panic mode! The chismosos and chismosas of Bellletown High had a field day kanina

What happened sa audi was naturallly the talk of the whole town!

Happy ako para sa kanila. Sana lang g, one day, may dumating na guy para saken na ganu un ka-romantic, diba? Aww. Daydreams Back to REALITY!

Hay. I really cant decide on what to o wear to Zoes party which is like ten minutes from now! Shete, I havent

even started on makeup yet! Paano ba ito?

Hala. Bahala na nga! Nandoon daw ang buong batch I H HAVE to look good! Kamusta naman, kaliwat kanan an ng text!

Rish, sby ka smin? (si Ria, nagtex xt.) Nah. Wg n, pra solo ka n liam!

Gaga! Hala, c u nlng mamya, arig ght?

Sure.

Sa wakas, nakapag makeup ako at n nakapagbihis.

Hala, baka pagdating ko tapos na?! OH NO!!!

I got into my Kuyas car (which he k kindly lent me) and ignited it. Brrrrrrrr. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

BRRRRRRRRRRR.

Damn, it doesnt start! OMG OMG. What am I gonna do? W Walk? Gawd, Im in my new stilettos for crying out loud d!!! BEEEP! (malakas na busina.)

Lintek! Grabe makabusina, WALA NA A BANG BUKAS?! Rish! Thumb a ride?

Gelo?! I thought you were s sick?

Nah. Im ok now. Hop in!

Dahil masunurin akong bata, sakay naman ako sa Honda Civic niya. Wow, soshalin nama an talaga ang mga tao, in fairness! Ayos siya mag-drive, hindi kaskasero gaya ng ibang kilala ko

Ang bilis mo gumaling ah! Whatt happened?

Guess who dropped by to visit m me last night?

Aba, at nasa mood magkwento si ku umag. Ang cute niya naman. Ngayon lang yata ako na akakakita ng guy na kinikilig. At susme, pa guess who pa a ito

Si Ria, sino pa nga ba? Yup! he said, smiling, and his fac ce lit up, as though hit by the purest ray of sunlight. In nlove na talaga itong friend ko

O? Anong nangyari? Uhmmm Did you? I asked, teasing him.

Sira ka talaga Rish!

Haha! I was kidding. Hindi, sery yoso. Kamusta?

Ok lang. Ang sweet niya nga, diinalhan ako ng soup at grabe ang sarap niya m magluto!

O? Tapos? I said, genuinely inter rested. Grabe ang kilig ni Gelo, nakakahawa!

Ayun, nagkakwentuhan kami. T Tingin mo, andun siya ngayon?

Oo, ininvite siya ni Zoe eh! Nakuu, kaya pala gwapong gwapo ka!

Syempre!

At nagtawanan kaming dalawa. Ang g kulit niya ha.

Hindi ko akalain magiging ganito kammi ka-close. Kahit nga noong sila ni Elle we barely tal lked. Grabe, ang bango niya. He reminds me of someone h hindi ko lang maalala.

Alam mo, na-realize ko kung ga aano ako ka-g@go this week.

Uh-huh? I said absentmindedly. Parang may nakalimutan yata ako? I checked my pur rse

Naku, basta. Hindi ko na siya iiw wasan. Ill fight for her, Rish.

Tinigil ni Gelo yung kotse. Grabe, an ndito na kami?! Ang bilis! Ano ba yung nakalimutan ko?

Hoy! Nakikinig ka ba?

Yeah! Pero paano yan baka m mag-away kayo ni Liam?

Oh shoot! Yun ang nakalimutan ko si LIAM!

Bahala siya. Hindi naman ako d dapat pumayag ng ganun ganun na lang ikaw p pa nagpayo nun saken diba?

Oo Hindi! Umuwi na tayo Ng gayon na! I said, positively panicking.

Ha? Kakarating lang natin! Bakiit ba?

Basta. I get the feeling na may mangyayaring hindi maganda.

Naku, hindi talaga magandang maki ita mo si Liam dahil paniguradong magkadikit sila ng gayon ni Ria!

Ano ka ba, tara na! sabi ni Gelo,, at lumabas na siya ng kotse. I followed suit. o Hey! Gelo! Im having a tummyayache! I said, wildly inventing an excuse.

That was lame but I cant let him g go in! May CR dito! Halika na nga!

No, I have to go home, seriousl ly Gelo! WAIT!!!

Grabe, mukha na kong tanga sa mg ga padating na bisita pero bahala na! Ill keep him ou utside as long as I could!

Ano bang nangyayari sayo?!

Kumain ako ng talaba kanina OMG, nagrerebolusyon yung tiyan ko!... OH SH!TT!

Hindi na arte yung huling swearword d na lumabas sa bibig ko. Wala pala sa loob sina Liam m at Ria nakikita ko na silang papalapit! Kakarating din lang g nila! Pucha, pag sineswerte nga nama an! Magka holding hands pa sila Anak ng?! Hindi pwwedeng makita ni Gelo ito! Ano ba?! May CR sa loob! sabi nni Gelo, na mukhang naiinis na. Pucha, mas lalo kang g maiinis kung hindi tayo uuwi!

I saw Ria glance in our direction sh hete! Wag kang lalapit dito! Unable to think properly, I threw my y purse aside.

Ouch! Grabe Gelo? Can you ge et my purse for me? I said in utter desperation. Ma asunuring bata, yumuko siya at kinuha ang purse ko Shete,, Ria, pumasok na kayo dali!

Hi! Pasok kayo! said a loud voicee. Si Zoe!

Inabot sa akin ni Gelo yung purse koo

O, ayan na pala si Zoe tanung gin mo na kung saan ang CR sabi niya, and befo ore I could stop him, humarap na siya sa may gate. In ho orror, I watched him freeze on the spot. His eyes fell o on Ria and Liams clasped hands

Hindi na nila kami napansin at pumaasok na sila.

On that moment, I wished I could usse a Memory Charm on him so hed forget I couldnt stand looking at the expre ession on his face nung humarap na siya sa akin he looked numb with shock.

But I would have given anything in tthe world para hindi ko na lang narinig ang sumunod niyang sinabi

Please tell me that wasnt real...."

Chapter Eighteen Liams POV:

O, bakit ka nagmamadali? tano ong ko sa humahangos na si Ria.

It was a pretty good Monday mornin ng. Until now I still cant quite believe na kami na. Iba a talaga yung pakiramdam.

I mean, with my past girlfriends pa arang wala lang. Pero ngayon, ang saya. We even went to Zoes party togeth her, where we danced, ate, talked, and had fun like theeres no tomorrow. Sana laging ganoon Its quarter to eight, you retard d which means were running late!

Haha, retard daw? What a pet name e KILIG AKO.

Ano ka ba, ang lapit lang ng sch hool

Kahit na! Lunes ngayon!

Ria! Hindi ka pa kumakain! sigaaw ni Tita. I gave Ria an exasperated look, tapos hinilla ko siya papunta sa bahay nila.

Ano ba?! Sabing late na eh!

Were not going anywhere pag hindi ka kakain!

Aaaw. Kilig naman ako.

Naku, si Ate Danna pala.

Kumain ka na kasi, Ria. Si Toff nna bahala magpalipad ng kotse mamaya so youlll get there in time.

Tama yan. Magkampihan pa kay yo Ria said grumpily, taking her seat on the dining g table. Ganyan talaga Diba bayaw? sabi ni Ate Danna, elbowing me hard on the side. I ca an feel my face reddening.

Pagpasensyahan mo na. PMS la ang yan.

MOM!!! said Ria, her mouth full. AAng cute parang bata!

Nag-aaalala lang naman kami, RRia. Paano kasi baka pag nagutom ka si Liam an ng kainin mo.

Hoy tama na nga yan Ate. Lune es na Lunes nabubwisit si Katuray ko.

Dont call me that, YOU SKUNK! !

I love you too!

At nagtawanan kaming lahat. Hoy, easy on the PDA sa school l ha. Conservative ang school natin.

PDA? Sakalin ko yan eh!

Nakarating naman kami sa school ju ust in time. Pinagtitinginan nga kami ng mga tao pero o dedma. Inggit lang siguro yun! Haha! Pagpasok namin ng classroom, ando oon na si Sir. See ya mamayang recess ssabi niya, smiling. Pumunta na siya sa upuan niya.

Liam!

Napatingin ako kay Sir. Katakot nam man. Ano naman kayang ginawa ko?

Saan ka pupunta?

HUH?!

Doon ka na uupo. Sa tabi ni Ria a. Po? I said, hardly daring to believ ve it.

Oo. Ayaw mo?

Hindi po! Gusto!

Dali dali naman akong pumunta sa t tabi niya. Did she actually ask for this? Pinalipat mo ko? I whispered.

Huh? Hindi ah! I thought it was s you!

TEKA

Eh sino? Bumukas ang pinto; sabay na puma asok sina Gelo at Irish. Napatingin sila sa amin panand dali tapos dumeretso si Gelo sa dati kong upuan. Ni hindi na agtaka o ano

Parang kilala ko na tuloy kung sino aang nagpalipat Nagkamabutihan na yata itong dalaw wang ito? Lately napansin kong lagi silang magkasam ma Sila na rin kaya? I couldnt resist breathing a sigh of r relief.

Rias POV:

Wow. Hindi lang pala kami ang bago ong couple : ) At wag ka, nagpalipat pa ng upuan... Swweet diba? Buti na lang si Liam ang nagkataong katabi ni Irish h : ) I felt quite happy for Gelo. Pero ewa an, na-miss ko agad siya. Di bale, kausapin ko na lang g siya mamayang break time at least ngayon ok na, alam k kong ok kami at mood swings lang talaga yung drama a niya nung isang linggo.

Ang saya naman ng start ng week

RECESS TIME

O? Bakit ang tamlay mo Den? Zoe asked. Oo nga naman. Kanina pang tahimik si De enise. Are you ok? I asked her. Oo naman, she said reassuringly y, though I wasnt altogether assured. I cant help feel ling guilty Dahil kaya sa amin ni Liam? After all, sobrang tagaal na siyang crush ni Den.

Wag kang mag-alala, Ria. Its n not what you think.

Youve read my mind? I asked, smiling.

Sabi ko naman sayo psycho ako o.

You mean psychic? Zoe correcte ed her. Nagtawanan lang kami.

Pero sa totoo lang kanina ko pang n napapansin na nag-iiwasan ng tingin sina Liam at Den. . Nako, kailangan ko kausapin itong mga to mamaya. Teka, si Maffy asan?

Ewan. Wala pa siya?

Hindi ko pa rin nga nakikita.

Baka maysakit?

Hangover kamo. Naglasing siya a nung Sabado eh. Nakaupo na kami sa Caf nung dumating si Maffy.

Dumating ka pa? Liam said jokingly.

Nako, ewan ko ba. Bwisit kasi yung kumpare ni Daddy.

Huh? Bakit?

Nagpa-tour dito sa school. I-eenroll daw kasi yung anak niya. Susmarya, ginawa akong tour guide!

Sinabi mo bang may class ka? Oo naman! Eh si Daddy kasi eh, wag ko daw iinisin kasi bestfriend niya daw yun! Bwiset!

Sige na, kumain ka na lang.

OH MY

Nagulat kami kay Zoe, who was staring at the door on the other end of the cafeteria. Para siyang natakot na nainis. Tumingin din ako doon Wow. Hindi lang pala si Maffy ang fashionably late ngayong Lunes na ito.

Wow. Whats with the long faces? Arent you all glad Im back? said Elle in her most dangerous voice. Nagtinginan ang mga tao sa table namin.

Elle started Zoe, standing up. Denise followed suit.

Oh, shut up, you ungrateful little skank. I see youve all turned your backs on me.

Elle, hindi ganun Ayaw na naming maging Starfish pero hindi ibig sabihin nun

And who said Im including you in that? You were never a Starfish, Denise. You were just a big heap of crap whose mission in life was to be our faithful alalay.

Elle, thats below the belt.

Aba. Wag ka ngang painosente diyan. You keep calling her alalay behind her back

Nanahimik si Zoe.

But I shall be dealing with you later Ang priority ko ngayon ay ang bago nating cheerleader. How about a fresh welcome? said Elle, turning to face me.

I saw her hand move quickly towards the milkshake that Zoe was holding.

Pumikit ako and I simply waited for the cold, icy feel of the drink on my skin but it didnt come. Pagmulat ko, I saw Denise standing in front of me, dripping wet.

Oooh. Looks like I had a splash, said Denise calmly. Ngumiti siya kay Elle ng pang-asar. I looked at her, amazed. Elle was wide-eyed, but she quickly regained her composure. Playing the hero now, huh, Den nise? she said, sneering. Well. Tama lang, para makabaw wi ka sa kanya I myself would feel the need to do that, you know. After what you did to her over th he weekend?

Denise grew pale. Anong-?!

HOY, umalis ka dito kung ayaw mong mabuhusan ng lugaw! said Maffy, coming to Denises rescue.

Maswerte ka pa rin, Denise. Per ro I swear to God, malalaman at malalaman nila a.

Chapter Nineteen

Irishs POV: Alam mo, kung nakakapagsalita a ang pagkain, kanina ka pa minura niyan.

Napatingin si Gelo sa sinabi ko. Toto oo naman. Hes been pushing his food around his platee for the past ten minutes; ni wala pa ngang bawas. N Nakahalumbaba pa siya at nakatingin sa kawalan. Kaya nga dito ko siya sa quadrangle e dinala, inisip kong pag sa caf kami pumunta eh maw wawalan lang siya ng ganang kumain. Susmarya, kung ala am ko lang na ganoon din naman ang kalalabasan

Kainis naman to. Nahahawa tuloy ak ko sa senti mode niya.

Ikaw naman kasi, hindi ka naki inig saken, I went on. Ang kulit mo rin eh.

Bakit na naman ba?

Eh kasi, nagpalipat ka pa ng up puan.

Mas madali na yun. At least hin ndi ko na nakakausap o ano.

Ayan! Palayo layo ka pa, dun ka a rin naman lagi nakatingin. Tapos magdedepres ss-depressan ka diyan. Hindi ah. Ang saya ko nga eh, sabi niya, sabay ngiti na sobrang plastik.

Ano bang gagawin ko dito? Hind di ko alam kung tatawanan o babatukan ko eh.

Kainis. Hindi ba pwede magppalipat ng section?

Hoy, ang OA mo ha. Ay wag na. Mas mababanas nga a pala ako, andoon si Signal Number Four, he sa aid absentmindedly. Umayos ka ah! Ang bait bait nu un eh!

Ay, sorry. Boyfriend mo nga palla yun.

I blushed and punched him on the a arm.

G@gu! Hoy wag yan!

Oo nga pala. Ang natamaan ko yung g paso niya. I quickly tried to find a new topic; itll sur rely remind him of Ria na naman kasi Hoy hindi ko boyfriend yun.

Kaya pala nagkikita kayo pag brbreaktime nang patago.

Were just going out. Teka mas sama ba yun?

Wag ka ngang defensive. Halataa ka lalo eh!

Ano ba? Tsaka hoy, bakit mo allaam na nagkikita kami pag breaktime?

Bulag lang ang hindi makakakit ta.

Ang sabihin mo, tsismoso ka!

Im just looking out for you, sillly. Wala akong tiwala sa pagmumukha nung INT TSIK beho na yun.

Ang protective mo naman, kuya a. Baka tumanda akong dalaga niyan.

Ganun? Dyou think Id make a good kuya?

Napaseryoso bigla.

Oo naman ano. Bakit mo natano ong?

Ah. Wala lang. Naisip ko lang kuung anong mangyayari pag nagkita kami nung s sister ko Pag nakasama ko siya I can see the e longing in his eyes.

May sister ka?

Yeah. But I never saw her. I thiink shes with my dad. Oo nga pala. Nakwento niya saken y yung story ng family niya.

O, bakit nakiki senti ka na rin d diyan?

Wala. Naisip ko lang Hay naku u. Never mind. Kainin mo na nga yan! I said, , rolling my eyes. He looked slightly more cheerful as he ttook his next bite.

Rias POV: Ice cream?

Liam was offering me an ice cream c cup. Nasa High School Quadrangle kami, nanonood ng g practice ng org nila Maffy.

Thanks, I said, taking it. Tiningna an ko siya, thinking of how I should ask him about the e questions that were boggling my mind

Bakit? Umm I was wondering

Tungkol saan?

Kasi si Denise kanina. Actuall ly

Iniisip mo ba yung sinabi ni Elle e?

Syempre napaisip ako. Pero ayo okong mag-isip ng masama

I looked away, wondering on how th he bloody hell I was going to tell him na baka siya ang g dahilan kung bakit nagkakaganoon.

But well, alam mo naman kung anong klaseng tao si Elle diba? Shes not someo one who should be taken seriously

May point nga naman siya dun. Hind di na ako sumagot.

Tell me, are you feeling guilty?

Guilty? I repeated, smiling faintly y, still unable to look at him.

Yeah. I mean, do you regret eveer getting into this relationship?

Of course not, you retard. Its j just that

My voice trailed away into nothingne ess.

Hindi ka dapat ma-guilty. Shes s known it all along.

Kahit na. It wouldve been a blo ow, all the same. She liked you

Eh ano gusto mo? Ligawan ko?

Sinuntok ko siya.

G*gu. Wag naman.

Bakit hindi? Eh pinapamigay mo o naman talaga ako.

Hindi kita pinapamigay. Ang sabbi ko lang, naaawa ako kay Denise.

Shell get over it.

Grabe. Ganun na lang kung idismiss s niya yung feelings nung tao But I didnt push the matter any furtther. Baka totoohin niyang ligawan si Denise, kawawa a naman ako Nakita ko si Gelo na dumaan papuntta sa lockers. Tumingin siya sa amin, kumaway ako Ngumiti naman siya, tapos umalis n na.

Tingin mo? Sila na siguro ni Ris sh noh? Ewan. Siguro. Lagi magkadikit e eh. Super close na.

Good for him. Sana lang si Rish h pag nagagalit hindi nambubuhos ng mantika dibba? Oo nga, said Liam. He was starin ng at the spot where Gelo had vanished.

Grabe, nabakla ata kay Gelo ang bo oyfie ko! xDD Bee? Bah. Bagong pet name? KILIG overl load

Anong bee? Sinong Bee yun ha? ?

Ikaw!

Hindi! Katuray ang tawag mo sa a akin eh! Sino si Bee? Tinawanan niya lang ako.

Gusto mo ba, sa gig namin sa S Saturday, yun ulit kantahin ko?

Alin? Yung kanta ng Red Jumps suit Apparatus?

Oo. Yung sa audi?

Ayoko.

Bakit? Ayaw mo ba yung kanta? ?

Hindi. Gusto ko saten saten lan ng yun diba? Hmp. Sige na nga. Iba na lang.

Surprise me.

Nako, sige, pu unta muna ako ng locker. Nakalimutan ko yung li ibro ko sa math. Lakad naman ako. Hindi ko pa kasi nnatatapos i-review yung homework ko

Paanong?

Thats my business, Gelo. Ang d dapat mong problemahin kung paano, kailan att saan mo sasabihin sa kanya.

Kilala ko yung mga boses na yun ah h...

Pero kaibigan ko si Liam

Dont be so STUPID. You know you love Ria and you know you deserve her m more than he does!

Oo naman Pero

There! That should make you de esperate enough para gawin mo yung sinasabi k ko! I know you cant stand them being together

I froze.

I dont think shell fall for it. I m mean

Oh come on. Use your charm. S Shell fall for it I know what Im doing, youll se ee.

Tell me what to do

I quietly went away, unable to stand d any more of it. Gelos conniving with Elle. It just t made me sick to my stomach

But at least alam ko na at kung an no man yung plano nila, alam ko na kung anong gagaw win kung sakaling theyll put it into action. Akala ko iba ka, Gelo. I thought you u were much more than what you actually seemed Turns out the second chance I gave him was such a huge mistake after all.

Chapter Twenty

Gelos POV:

Sana, ako na lang yung katabi niya

Those were the words that were pla aying over and over in my mind as I walked along the corridor. Kumaway siya saken kanina at magkakahalong em motions ang nararamdaman ko, to the point na sasabogg na ako kasi para akong flask na pinuno ng combustible chem micals.

Ano ba tong nangyayari saken?

BLAG!

Aray! Sa kakaisip bumangga na pala a ako sa isa sa mga lockers. Ang sakit ah sa sahig g ako naglanding Do watch where youre going, p pighead.

I looked up and saw Elle standing in n front of me, sneering.

Thanks. What a fat lot of help y you are.

Still sarcastic, eh Gelo? she e asked, offering me her hand. I took it para hindi mas sabing bastos.

Nothing changed much, really. So whatre you doing here?

Oh, that. I was looking for you. .

Hinahanap mo ko? Bakit, hindi kka pa ba kuntento sa

About that yeah. I wanted to apologize.

What? Si Elle ba itong kausap ko? H Hay. Ewan. The worlds gone mad If you say so, I said, shrugging.

Were okay?

Yea I guess.

I wanted to show you somethin ng.

Ano naman yun?

She took something out of her pockeet; a picture.

Recognize her by any chance?

I looked at the picture intently, rack king my brains. Oo. Shes Liams ex. Bakit? Are you hunting her or something?

Winona Santillan, senior. Seton n High School. Editor-in-chief of their School papeer

Did your research, huh?

Pinsan ko siya. She dumped Lia am two weeks previously. Then we discovered this, she said, handing me a digital camera.

Si Liam to ah May kaakbay na babae (!) According sa date and time sa baba ng picc, this was taken last Saturday afternoon

That girl youre looking at is na amed Jill Mendoza. A junior from Divine Light Aca ademy High School. Captain ng DLA Womens volleyb ball team.

Jill? Teka Yun yung tinawag ni Liam kay Winonna nung araw na nagbreak sila (!) Press that red button on the rig ght... theres the next picture.

Anak ng?! Si Liam ulit... Pero iba na yung ka h holding hands This time, ang date and time eh nung Sunday afternoon..

Thats Abby Ramos. College Fre eshman, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe member.

I looked at her, lost for words.

Those were three different girls s with different schools and interests. How conveenient for Liam to date them all at the same time withou ut anyone knowing, diba?

Scroll mo ulit.

A familiar pretty face greeted my ey yes

Ria Antonio. Senior, Belletown HHigh School. The latest member of his collection n.

Sabay sabay sila ngayon?! tano ong ko. Hindi ko akalain

From my extensive research, Li iam hasnt broken up with either Jill or Abby yet.. Kung ganoon, it must mean na ginagago niya si Ria ng gayon, just like the other two.

I was quickly consumed by my fury; ; pinipigilan ko lang ang sarili ko na durugin sa mga k kamay ko yung digicam ni Elle, which was proving to be a hard d effort.

And thats not all. Scroll again.

I pressed the red button for a last ti ime

Denise?!

Yes. Denise Lopez and Liam Wo oods, locked by the lips at Zoes party.

Paano nangyari?! Ria must havee seen them!

She didnt. Pagkahatid niya kay y Ria, bumalik si Liam kina Zoe at nalasing. Denis se took advantage, I dunno if she was drunk

I was burning with questions. Nakuh ha niyang lahat ito?! Sinusundan niya si Liam? Teka, eh n ni hindi siya invited dun ah?

Paanong?

Thats my business, Gelo. Ang d dapat mong problemahin kung paano, kailan att saan mo sasabihin sa kanya.

Pero kaibigan ko si Liam

Dont be so STUPID. You know you love Ria and you know you deserve her m more than he does!

Oo naman Pero

There! That should make you de esperate enough para gawin mo yung sinasabi k ko! I know you cant stand them being together

I dont think shell fall for it. I m mean

Oh come on. Use your charm. S Shell fall for it I know what Im doing, youll se ee. Tell me what to do sabi ko. M My mind was racing but I didnt have a single clue hin ndi pwede to.

Sayo muna yang camera ko. Ika aw na bahala kumuha ng tiyempo but you have tto do it, aright? And oh, one more thing

Ano yun?

Wag mong sabihing sa akin galiing niyan.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. Oo nga na aman Si Elle, gumagawa ng kabutihan? Malaki nga namang kalokohan kung papakinggan mo

Whyre you doing this? I shot a at her. She smiled; the first true smile I have seen fro om her.

If theres one thing I hate, its p players. Ayoko na nung may ginagagong babae Why are you looking at me like that?

Wala lang. I didnt think youd c care. Especially ngayong si Ria yung isa sa mga iinvolved

She laughed mirthlessly.

Dont you think Ive done enoug gh damage to her this year? To all of you? Pagod d na rin siguro akong manggago...

Sana magtuloytuloy yan. Yup. And if pwede mong isingit t Tell her Im sorry about what happened in the e caf, she said, and with a smile she left. Hindi ako mapakali nung bumalik ak ko sa classroom.

Stupid! Bakit kasi nakipagpalit pa ak ko ng chair?! Ok ka lang? Rish asked me while e copying the Physics lecture on the board. Honestly, hindi. What happened? she asked, cur rious. I took Elles digicam from my pocket and showe ed it to her discreetly; baka kasi ma-confiscate

Oh my God. Where did you get tthis?

Ill explain later.

Are you going to tell her? Syempre. Ayokong nagmumukh ha siyang g@go.

Anything I can do to help?

No. Pero salamat. Just wish me e luck

Shell listen to you, Im sure of that. Dont worry

Gusto kong paniwalaan yung sinabi ni Rish Kinakabahan ako. Makikinig nga kay ya siya sakin? Anong mangyayari pagkatapos niyang m makita yung pictures?

Baka umiyak pa siya sa harap ko ayoko nun Kasi kung magiging masakit sa kany ya, edi lalo na sakin diba?

Naku, bahala na.

Rias POV:

Buti walang nakakapansin, pero sa t totoo lang buraot pa rin ako hanggang ngayon Tumi ityempo ako ng tingin kina Elle at Gelo, at naku ang mga walan nghiya Akala mo mga inosente! Kung di ko pa alam

RRRRRIIINNNGGGGGGG!

Dismissal na naman? Sa field na lang tayo magkita haa? Samahan ako nina Zoe magpalit, I told Liam. Aaaw. Hindi mo ko sasabayan s sa locker? he said, pouting. Sige ka, pag sinabay yan ako ni Denise Edi sumabay ka Ako pa tinako ot mo, I said, glaring at him. Finally, natapos siyang g mag-ayos ng gamit at humarap saken. He smiled at the ex xpression on my face. Ikaw naman. Joke lang, he said d, and out of nowhere, he swooped down and kissed m me. He pulled away after half a second. (binilang?!

) I love you! he said, then he ran aaway, smiling. Napatingin tingin ako sa paligid, but ti na lang sina Zoe at Maffy lang ang tao. Nako, kaya ppala malakas ang loob ni kumag Feeling my cheeks burn, I went and d approached my friends, whose faces were annoyingly y smug. Dont worry, Ria. We didnt see e it, sabi ni Maffy.

Oh shut up, I snapped, blushing. .

Grabe pala ang kiss ni Liam, ins stant blush-on! hirit ni Zoe.

ZOE!!!

We were laughing all the way to the e lockers, tapos humiwalay na sa amin si Maffy papunt ta sa org niya. Dumeretso na kami ni Zoe sa CR para makapag gpalit.

Oh sh!t! Naiwan ko sapatos ko! !

Balikan mo na, dali! Baka ma-la ate tayo!

Tinakbo ko na yung pagbalik ang s stupid ko talaga! I was just about to get my shoes wh hen

Ria!

I looked and felt a fresh rush of fury y Gelo was running towards me.

I was looking for you

Sorry, Im in a terrible hurry, II said, slamming my locker door and starting to walk a away.

Please, I really need to talk to y you.

Bukas na lang, aright? Bye.

But this is important. You need to hear me out. Ria its about Liam

Here it comes, I thought. Oh yeah?! What about him? I s said with my brow raised. I stopped walking and tried to appear interested.

I dont know how to put it in a bbetter way Youre wasting my time, I said coolly, and I turned on my heel.

HES CHEATING ON YOU!

Oh, a likely story! Nilingon ko siya, trying to keep my fface expressionless. Hindi ako nagsalita.

Of course you dont believe me But I

He was taking something out of his pocket, but I decided I could not take any of this crap p any longer.

Dyou honestly think Im that fc cuking gullible? I shot at him, and he froze.

Let me tell you something. If I wanted to have someone yelling bullcrap at me I wouldve called you. And yea What Liam and I have e right now is something very special, and I cher rish it beyond all telling. If you think na isang kagaya mo o lang ang makakasira nun Pwes Im sorry to d disappoint you but it wont. Now if you dont mind, I h have a lot of more important things to be getting g on with. And with that I left him dazed.

Chapter Twenty-One

Irishs POV:

Asan na yung iba?!

Hayun nat nagsimula nang magsisig gaw ang coach ng soccer team ng klase namin. He ha ad enough reason to be angry; more than half of the team h hadnt turned up yet.

Nasa soccer field na kami; halos pal laging sabay ang practice ng teams. Ang cheerleaders s din hindi pa kumpleto Pareho pang wala sina Gelo at Ria d dito magkausap na kaya sila ngayon?

Nagulat ako nang ipakita sa akin ni Gelo ang mga pictures sa camera ni Elle kanina. Hind di ko akalaing magagawa pala ni Liam yun. Sana lang hindi m magkaroon ng away dito pagdating ni Ria mamaya

Speaking of Ria

Dumating siyang kasabay ni Zoe. I kknew there was something wrong; her face was expre essionless and she looked perfectly calm as she walked toward ds us. Teka, kung nandito na siya, nasaan si Gelo? Nas sabi niya kaya? Ria, can I have a sec?

Sure.

Iniwan kami ni Zoe. Out of the corneer of my eye, I saw Liam emerge from the locker room ms Nakausap mo na ba si Gelo? I asked. She looked at me with one brow raised.

Why do you ask? tanong niy ya. Ang taray hindi maganda to He was looking for you. I I th hink he said he was going to tell you something immportant Anong alam mo doon? she aske ed me. Iba na ang tono ng boses niya... I cant believe it. Pati pala ikaw w, she said, and with that she walked away.

Pati daw ako?

WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ABO OUT?!

Bakit galit siya? Ngayon niya lang ullit ako tinarayan ng ganoon. May mali talaga dito. I knew I had to find Gelo. FAST.

Ten minutes din akong nag ikot ikot bago ko sila nakita ni Elle na magkausap sa may lockers. It was Elle who noticed me coming.

Rish, youre here

Nagulat ako nang lumapit siya at niyakap ako.

Whoa whoa Elle! Akala ko ba galit ka? Ano ka ba, sinasapian?

She laughed.

Hindi. Sira lang talaga ang ulo ko. Come here. Someone needs us.

She led me towards Gelo, who was looking numb with shock. Tulala siya at naawa ako sa itsura niya Gelo? What happened? I asked him. He looked at me, smiling bitterly. Oh. Hi Rish, he replied. Nasabi mo ba? asked Elle, sharply jerking him back into reality.

No. She didnt want to hear a word

Nagtinginan kami ni Elle.

Eh yung pics, napakita mo?

Hindi, sabi niya. Elle seemed to be restraining herself from rolling her eyes with difficulty.

Eh anong nangyari? Bakit para kang pinagsakluban ng langit at lupa?

Ok lang sana yung nilayasan niya ako eh pero yung sinabi niya bago siya umalis

Ano ba kasi yun? asked Elle. I wanted to cover her mouth so she can shut up, I didnt think Gelo would like to tell us about it.

Well she told me na special sa kanya si Liam at yung kung ano man ang meron sa kanila. Sabi niya hindi lang isang tulad ko ang makakasira nun.

Elles jaw dropped. So did mine.

SHE SAID THAT?!

Yeah.

Anak ng?! Ikaw na nga itong concerned sa kanya, ginanon ka pa?!

Well she has a reason to doubt him. I mean, shes known Liam for years. Shes bound to trust him more than she trusts us. Kahit na! Hindi niya dapat sinabihan si Gelo ng mga ganun! Elle exclaimed indignantly. Eh ano gagawin natin?

It was Gelo who answered me.

Pabayaan natin siya.

Pero Choice niya yun, diba? Gusto niyang magpaka-g@go kay Liam, then go! Sino bang masasaktan? Diba siya?

Sira ba ulo mo?!

Gelos got a point.

I looked at Elle incredulously, my mouth still half-open.

Pero hindi natin pwedeng basta palampasin yun.

What do you mean?

Ibig kong sabihin, well still do it. Ibubuking pa rin natin ang kalokohan ni Liam. Only this time, were not doing it for Rias sake. Well do it to get even.

Get even? I repeated.

Yeah. Para dun sa sinabi ni Ria kay Gelo hindi niya dapat ginawa yun. Kaya ngayon, ipapaalam natin sa kanya hindi para ma-shield siya kay Liam kundi para masaktan siya. I want her to get hurt, BIG TIME.

Are you freaking CRAZY?! I asked her. Akala ko ba mabait na ito?

What do you have in mind? Gelo asked her casually. Aba, at si kumag makikisali pa yata?!

Something brilliant, of course.

Rias POV: Si coach o, tinatawag ka pa yata

Liam and I were standing just outside the field when I heard their coachs voice.

Sige punta lang ako doon sandali ha?

He left his bag beside me. I stood there, following him with my eyes. Ok lang naman sigurong maiwan akong magisa, mamaya lang andito na rin naman sina Maffy. Sumagi na naman sa isip ko si Gelo. Nainis at naawa ako sa kanya at the same time; nainis dahil sa plinano nila ni Elle against me and Liam, naawa dahil nasobrahan ata yung sinabi ko sa kanya kanina. Kung totoo yung narinig kong sinabi ni Elle na mahal niya ako, he wouldve been really hurt. Not that I meant it, pero sa totoo lang

RING!!! RING!!!

A cellphone was going off like mad somewhere. I recognized it as Liams ringtone, so I quickly rummaged into his bag so I can see it, baka kasi si Tita Yolly yung tumatawag

But it wasnt Tita Yolly. It was an unregistered number flashing on the screen Sasagutin ko ba?

And before my mind could argue on whether I should take the call for him or not, the ringing stopped. The screen changed and I was taken aback by what I saw.

8 missed calls

Feeling reckless, pinindot ko to see who had been calling him. It was all from the same unregistered number!

Im back!

I looked at Liam who was approaching. Someone called? he asked, seei ing me holding the cellphone.

Yeah. Nakaka 8 missed calls na a nga

And then there was a flash of what llooked like panic in his eyes

Unregistered yung number, I s said, handing it to him. Nare-recognize mo ba yun ng number? Mukhang kailangang-kailangan kang maka ausap eh.

No. Hindi ko alam kung sino to

I dont know why, but I get the feeliing that hes trying to keep something from me. He av voided my gaze. Sino kaya yung tumatawag na yun?

Pero bago ko pa maisip kung ano an ng pwedeng itago sa akin ni Liam, dumating na sina M Maffy at Jon. Sabay sabay na kaming umalis ng school at nagla akad pauwi.

Natatawa ako sa set-up namin. Para a kasing double date.

Actually, matagal nang gusto ni Maf ffy si Jon, and Im more than sure that Jons feeling th he same way. Syempre pareho ko silang ka-close, alam ko k kung may ibig sabihin ba yung actions o wala, so kahiit hindi nila pareho i- declare yun sa buong mundo, alam ko na.

Guys, tara meryenda tayo sa MiiniStop said Jon. Oh, good may nakaisip na kuma ain. Gutom na rin kasi ako

Ha? Ayoko.

Bakit? Bibili lang naman tayo. Naku, baka maabutan na namann ako ni Dad saka nung officemate niya.

Itatago kita, sabi ni Jon. Naku kikinilig naman si Maffy.

Sa payat mong yan, maitatago mmo ba ko eh ang lapad ko?

Sino may sabi sayong mataba k ka? Ang payat mo na nga Maffs eh. Youre sooo s sexy Maffy! ULUL! Shut up!

Nagtawanan kami at pumasok na ng ga sa MiniStop.

Katuray ano gusto mo?

Coke Light.

Sandwich gusto mo?

Sige. Yung

Ham and cheese?

Natuwa naman ako. Alam niya pa rinn pala

Sige. Diyan ka lang ha? Umalis na sina Jon at Liam para bilh han kami ng food ni Maffy. Naghanap naman kami ng mauupuan

Naku, kilig naman ang Lola Maf ffy. Ssshhh. Wag ka nga maingay diyan Katuray. Oras na ikwento ko kay Jon yung nangyari sa classroom kanina lagot talaga kayo samin.

Uy wag naman!

Sandali lang at lumitaw na sina Jon at Liam na maraming dala, pero hindi pa rin kami nakahanap ng upuan. Jusko, puno kasi ng estudyante

Thanks, I told Liam as he handed me the plastic bag. He was about to open his mouth to say something nang may humila sa akin patalikod

WHAPAKK!

Halos matumba ako sa lakas ng sampal. Napatingin ang lahat ng tao sa akin. Gusto ko sanang tingnan kung sino ang gumawa nun pero hindi ko na makita dahil sinabunutan niya naman ako

You SLUT! How DARE YOU..?!

Somebody pull us apart, please! MAKAKALBO AKO!!! Fortunately, I felt someone grab the back of my blouse Napaghiwalay nila kami. The other girl was being held by another sino kaya to?

I looked her in the face at nagulat ako; hindi ko siya kilala. Abat?! Sino siya para ganunin ako?!

And who the BLOODY HELL are you?! I yelled, losing control. Bumitaw ako sa pagkahawak ni Jonathan, wanting to beat the crap out of that fugly little palingkera, but Maffy got there first

TUGSH!

Maffy had punched the girl right in the face, and in mixed delight and horror I saw the girls nose bleed.

Subukan mong saktan ulit ang best friend ko, makikita mo ang hinahanap mo!!!

The girl glared at us, but when her eyes caught Liam she looked even angrier

SCREW YOU ALL! she shouted, at kumalas siya sa umaawat sa kanya. She walked out of the store, leaving us all shocked. I sharply turned to face Liam. You know her, dont you? I hissed. He couldnt look me in the eye Sabi ko na eh! Hes keeping something from me, and Im sure it has something to do with that girl in her DLA

uniform!

Damn it, William! Answer me!

Chapter Twenty-Two

Liams POV:

Damn it, William! Answer me!

Those words rung out in my head a thousand times, like some bell in a church tower thats going off like mad. Hindi ko siya matingnan. I felt sick of myself; after all, kasalanan ko pa rin talaga ito. Screw Jill. Why the HELL did she have to do that?! She could have hurt me instead I would have deserved it.

Tara, dun tayo sa labas mag-usap sabi ni Jon. I suddenly became fully aware of the fact na napapaligiran kami ng napakaraming usisero. Maffy led Ria outside, at sinundan namin sila ni Jon. Sa paraan pa lang ng pagtingin sakin nung dalawa pa, alam kong pati sila masama rin ang loob sa akin. I couldnt blame them for feeling that way. Malayo-layo na ang nalakad namin nang naglakas-loob akong i-open yung usapan.

Ria, I said, mildly pulling her by the arm. She paused and glared at me but said nothing. Tumigil din sina Maffy at Jon na-sense ko ang tension sa paligid ko. Lahat sila ngayon sa akin na nakatingin. Ok, I knew her. She was my ex.

*Flashback, Saturday afternoon* Jill, listen we cant see each other anymore.

Nasa mall kami, kumakain. She froze halfway through that spoonful, her eyes wide and fearful. I had been screwing up my courage all day to tell her that Na-anticipate kong hindi magiging madali.

Its not like she had enough reason to hold me back; after all, were not officially / exclusively dating. Ganito rin ang setup ko with two other girls; Abby and Winona, pero sa kanilang tatlo, si Jill ang naging talagang attached sa akin. Minsan, parang kinakalimutan niya talaga na ganun lang ang sitwasyon namin pinaalam ko naman sa kanya, pati na rin kina Abby at Winona, yung feelings ko about Ria. Hindi ko naman sila inask out or kung ano pa man; it was them who had insisted na subukan naming mag-date and see how things would turn out. Parang wala lang, go out on dates pero nothing serious just mere, plain dates.

What did I do? tanong niya. Nag-usap na tayo beforehand about this... I mean, about us about Ria

Bakit, kayo na ba? she asked.

Tumango na lang ako. Nahalata kong nalungkot siya and she was on the verge of tears. I carefully avoided her eyes; nagi-guilty ako.

Kailangan ba talaga? I mean it doesnt mean na pagbabawalan kita sa kanya

Jill. Alam mo yung feelings ko para kay Ria. Ayoko siyang lokohin... ayokong pagsabayin. I told you theres no one else I like.

Ok lang sakin maging number two, she said shamelessly, her voice breaking. Shoot. How pathetic.

Im sorry.

For a while I thought she was going to punch me pero she just grabbed her bag and scampered away. *end of flashback*

Ex? Are you sure na alam niyang break na kayo? Halos patayin ako kanina eh Alam mo kung number two or number three mo lang ako, sabihin mo na agad. Ayoko sa lahat yung nagmumukha akong tanga, said Ria firmly. There was a certain fierceness in her eyes that kinda scared me nagkakaganon lang siya when shes really upset.

No. Really. Wala na yun, I swear, I told her.

Naasar ako sa sarili ko. Ang daming naiipit ano ba naman kasing kalokohan yun?! Why did I ever think that toying with girls is a tolerable business?

Oo nga, wala na kami ni Jill tapos nakipaghiwalay na rin ako kay Abby nung Sunday Winonas ditched me two weeks ago. So that means ok na. Im exclusively for Ria na lang So honestly, I dont feel the need to tell her about the other three. But I still feel guilty kasi I could tell she would go ballistic if she ever found out

Ako na yata ang pinakamalaking jerk sa buong mundo. Damn. I HATE THIS.

Sa susunod kasi, ipaalam mo na agad sa amin kung may ex ka sa paligid. Para alam namin kung itatago na ba namin si Ria o ano sabi ni Jon in an attempt to lighten the mood. Ria and Maffy grudgingly laughed.

Tara na ngang umuwi sabi ni Maffy.

We started walking when we noticed na may nakatutok sa aming malakas at nakakasilaw na headlights. Napalingon kami at nakita ang isang luxury-type SUV na papalapit. Tumigil siya sa tapat namin at nagbaba ng bintana. Francesca? Is that you? said a male voice from the drivers seat. Napatingin kaming lahat kay Maffy. Oh, hi Tito Danny, Maffy said tenentatively.

How come hindi ka pa nakakauwwi?

Ah. Org practice po, alam nama an ni Dad.

Oh, all right. So pauwi na kayo? ?

Opo. Sakay na kayo.

Ay, wag na po. Malapit lang nam man

Ano ka ba hija, isang jeepney ri ide din yun. Tsaka dumidilim na, ang dami pa na amang mandurukot diyan.

Pero tito, out of way po kayo

Sa terminal ng tricycle ng BF ko o na lang kayo ibababa. Ok lang. I insist.

Tiningnan kami ni Maffy, and we all simply shrugged. Hindi naman kasi mukhang kidnapp per yung kausap niya, lalo nat sa isang Toyota Land Cruiser na akasakay. Haha, para makasakay na rin sa luxury car kahit isang beses lang

Thanks Tito, sabi ni Maffy, tapos s pinagbuksan niya kami para makasakay. Wow, ang lamig sa loob, astig! May tumutugtog na classical music na para bang naka-sur rround sound. Grabe. This mans FILTHY RICH!

Ewan ko ba diyan sa dad mo, Fr rancesca. If I were your dad, ipapasundo kita ar raw-araw.

Hindi po, ako naman yung may gusto ng ganito, said Maffy.

Totoo naman, mayaman talaga sina a Maffy. Ayaw niya lang nung ganon, iniisip niya paran ng pagsho-show off. Parang si Elle dati, ang lapit lang ng g bahay, hinahatid pa ng driver niya sa kung ano-anon ng mamahalin ding kotse.

Oh. What a nice kid you are. A r rare find these days, if you ask me. Are they you ur friends?

Ah, opo. This is Ria, thats Liam m, this ones Jon.

Lumingon sa amin yung Tito ni Maff y, tapos tumigil yung mata niya kay Jon. Kakaiba makkatingin. Kung ako si Jon magpapababa na ako katakot eh

Nice to meet you po, sabi namin n in chorus. When Maffys Tito looked ahead, nagkatin nginan kaming apat. Nagpigil akong matawa sa itsura ng g pagmumukha ni Jon, para siyang natatawa at nasusu uka at the same time! For the rest of the ride, tahimik kam ming lahat. Sa wakas nakarating din sa terminal ng BF F Thank you po! sabi naming saba ay sabay, pagkatapos umalis na yung tito ni Maffy. Kaano-ano mo yun, Maffs? You didnt mention na may kapatid ang dad mo

Hindi yun kapatid ng dad ko. Yu un yung bestfriend niya siya yung dahilan kung g bakit na-late ako. Siya yung nagpa-tour sa school. Jusko, akala ko nung una ikaw yung type kasi namilit pa talaga. Yun pala si Jon yung type, sabi ko, which made Ria elbow me hard in the ribs. Nagtawanan kami.

Nagulat nga ako eh. Ang wirdo makatingin.

Haha! Sugar Daddy!

Ang sama mo! Buti nga pinasakay tayo, nakatipid tayo ng 10 pesos sa jeep.

Pero alam mo, may point kayo tingin ko nga bading yun. Hes 45 years old and walang asawa Pero sabi niya may anak...

Baka anak lang ng iba niyang fafa... pero nevertheless... Sh!t, Jon, youve hit jackpot!

ULUL!

Naks, Jon, hindi lang pala babae naghahabol sayo looks like youve got competition, Maffy!

Heh! Inggit ka lang! Ikaw kasi hindi bakla at babae ang humahabol, panay matrona!

Gagu! So ano ibig mong sabihin, matrona ako!?

Narindi na siguro sa amin yung mga tao sa paligid sa lalakas naming tumawa. I could not remember a happier moment in my life than this

I guess finally being with Ria made all the difference.

THE NEXT MORNING

Gelos POV:

Amp. Papasok na naman. Lalo akong tinamad nitong mga nakaraan. Kung pwede lang hindi na pumasok Good morning, bati saken ni Rish pagkaupo ko sa upuan ko. Ano namang good sa umaga na ito? Ang sungit mo, kahit kelan ka, sabi ni Elle, who was sitting on my other side. Hoy ikaw. Kung may binabalak ka diyan wag mo na ko isama ha. Wala na kong pake dun.

Asus chicken ang sabihin mo, ayaw mong saktan ko siya

Hoy Elle! Konting awat naman! Ang aga-aga ang lakas mong mambwisit diyan, saway ni Irish, saving me from the need na sumagot.

KJ niyo. Paano ko ba namang hindi kukulitin ito, eh sambakol yung mukha. Para kang chewing gum na nginuya ng isang linggo.

Tumigil ka nga diyan.

Trust me. Whatever Ill do, itll be for her own good, Elle said with a wink. Hindi ko na lang siya sinagot, sakto naman kasing dumating ang English teacher namin, first class ng Wednesday sched

Good morning class! Were going to have a major activity on Friday, so please listen carefully. This has a lot to do with your grade for the third quarter, pati na rin sa fourth pag sinwerte kayo

Nagtinginan kami nina Irish. Bihira akong mabahala sa mga ganito, pero activity na pati 4th quarter grade eh maaapektuhan? I gotta listen to this.

I currently am looking for prospective leads for this years Interschool Play Competition. Were holding auditions pero wala pa akong nakikita. So naisip ko, dito ko na lang kukunin sa batch ng 4th year, through this activity. Ang pinakamagaling dito, exempted sa 3rd quarter periodical examination, at pag nanalo tayo sa IPC, pati sa 4th quarter exempted na siya

There was a hush. 2 exempted exams? Too good to pass up! Everyone was now listening

Were going to have a reenactment of some scenes from various plays, movies, musicals, et cetera. I wanted to have various scenes kasi we havent finalized kung ano ang gagawin naming play for the competition. Here I have with me are the copies of the scenes... she held up a thick wad ng bond paper, And I am going to pass them

Napansin kong inuna niya ang mga babae bago kami

In this activity, gusto ko full efforts. By that I mean, gusto ko practice-in niyo mabuti at maayos ang costumes niyo. Descriptions of costumes are right in those papers, you just have to read them

Oh, did I mention? All of those are heavily emotional dialogues.

DIALOGUES?!

I gave copies to boys and girls separately, sabi niya, and finally natapos siyang mamigay ng scripts. I looked at mine it said Moulin Rouge. Anak ng?! Ang daming lines nung male part! AMP!

Kung sino ang kapareho niyo ng script, siya ang partner niyo. Now when I call the title of your piece, raise your hand and say Maam. Moulin Rouge?

I raised my hand...

MAAM?

Chapter Twenty-Three

Rias POV: Maam?

Oh SHEESH. Not him?! Lumingon ako kay Angelo, who also looked at me. He seemed horrified by the dilemma Aba! If theres someone na may karapatang magreklamo, ako yun! FEELINGERONG TO! Damn it. I didnt think I could get so lucky. Sa lahat ng lalaki sa 4th year Integrity, itong kumag na to pa talaga ang nagkataong na-assign saken! ASARR!

Nagkatinginan na lang kami ni Liam, and judging by the expression on his face, he couldnt seem to understand why I seemed so upset. Well, hindi naman kasi niya narinig ang usapan ni Elle at ng pinakamamahal niyang best friend na si Angelo. I never told anyone about what I had heard, not even Maffy. Ayoko nang palakihin, at siguradong pag nakarating yun kay Liam, hed go ballistic.

O, what are you all waiting for? Puntahan niyo na yung partners niyo!

Jussme, tapos na pala niyang sabihin yung partners, di ko na namalayan! Nagtayuan ang mga tao maliban sa akin. Liam looked at me curiously. Huy, tumayo ka na nga diyan baka mapagalitan ka pa, ikaw din, sabi niya. I hesitated, then I stood up

grudgingly, hindi para puntahan si Angelo kundi para kausapin si Maam

Maam I dont ehrm Can I change my piece?

Our teacher surveyed me carefully before answering. Why? Is something bothering you, Miss Antonio?

Ehrrm I stammered, trying to locate something wrong with the piece of paper I was holding. I I dont like this piece, Maam. Parang wala naman akong gagawin. Tignan niyo po oh, three or four lines na nga lang, puro phrases pa

Hija, before I chose those pieces, I made sure that those would bring out your acting capabilities. Sa totoo lang hija, youre lucky to get that piece. Mas ma-eemphasize ang talent mo in acting kasi you would have to act without lines, and thats immeasurably more difficult.

But Maam

Kung kakulangan lang ng lines ang pinoproblema mo, Miss Antonio, I suggest we end this conversation now. Aarte ka, ACTING ang gagawin mo, hindi declamation, kaya the absence of lines is hardly a significant issue. Please proceed to your partner, she told me. She didnt look too happy with me anymore but since this is a rather desperate situation, I decided to push my luck.

Maam, hindi lang po yung lines. Ehrm

What is it this time?

Yun pong costume. Hindi po ako makakapaghanap ng ganitong klaseng costume before the presentation on Friday, I said, quietly congratulating myself; I knew I had just hit bulls eye. She would not be able to dismiss that as insignificant, sinabi niyang malaking factor ang costume

Tiningnan ko si Maam, at hindi ko maintindihan kung natatawa ba siya o naiinis.

Hija, dont you remember?

Ano daw?!

Your older sister, Danna, has played the role of Satine sa Interschool Play Competition three years ago. Im pretty sure she would still have her costume; and since I dont think na malaki ang difference ng pangangatawan ninyong dalawa, eh you wouldnt have a problem in borrowing it.

DAMN!

Maam

Im sorry, my dear, but your pieces and partners are FINAL. Ngayon, if you dont want to get a failing grade in this activity, puntahan mo na ang partner mo.

Thank you, Maam, I said, kahit hindi naman talaga yun ang gusto kong sabihin. What I wanted to say was %^%$&! you Maam!!!

Grabe! Ang sarap magmura!!! BADTRIP! I dragged my feet towards the place where Angelo was sitting. Nakatingin siya sa akin ng pang-asar, naka-smirk pa.

NAKU! Kung pwede ko lang dukutin ang mata nito, ginawa ko na! O, kamusta? Hindi pumayag? he asked in a nasty tone. Hindi ako sumagot, umupo na lang ako sa tabi niya, trying not to look at him.

Hah. Paano ba yan? Mukhang talagang minalas ka at ako pa ang nakapartner mo Well, guess what, Ria. Its not my pleasure to be your partner either.

Abah, feelingero talaga! Hambog na to!

Wow. I guess weve made that very clear, Angelo, I said, putting a sinister emphasis on his name. His smirk grew, if possible, even wider.

You bet we have, Adrianna.

I glared at him; alam niya ang full name ko at sigurado akong alam niya rin na ayokong tinatawag ako ng ganoon. Naku, sinasagad ako nito ah!!!

What? Youre not telling me that you dont like the sound of your own name? he said. Bakit, Ria? Dahil ba mabantot?

Of course not, Gelo. Im actually pretty FOND of my name. In case hindi mo alam, I share the same name with one of the most famous supermodels in the world, Adriana Lima. And I think thats cool, I replied calmly. Ayokong ibigay sa kanya ang satisfaction of knowing na napipikon ako. O, wag kang masyadong mayabang. Kapangalan mo lang yun, wag kang mag-ambisyon na magiging kagaya ka ni Adriana Lima.

Anong?! Talagang nang-iinsulto!

Oh, you think so?

Alam mo kasi, being a model thats pretty much out of your league, Ria. Kasi alam mo, ang models, magaganda. PERFECT ang features. But dont fret, actually, malapit lapit ka na sana dun eh. Kung hindi lang sana sobrang laki ng mata mo at sana rin, hindi masyadong malapad ang noo mo na para nang blackboard.

Langya to ah!

IF YOU THINK Is there a problem? our teacher said, popping out of nowhere. Mukhang masyado kaming nag-enjoy sa usapan naming kaya hindi na naming napansin na nasa harap na namin si Maam.

No, Maam. Were getting along really well with this!

Good. Galingan niyo ha.

Syempre Maam. Gagalingan namin, diba, Adrianna?

Ill be expecting a lot from you two. Napansin ko lang kasi Sobrang bagay kayo, she said.

ANO DAW?! OMG. I gotta go throw up here somewhere!

Sige ha, tigilan na ang pag-aargue. Sayang din yun, exemption sa periodicals! she said, as though taunting us, and with a wink, she left. I turned to glare at Gelo it was then that I noticed that his cheeks had turned bright pink.

Ang cute rosy cheeks Sh!t! What did I just?! Sheesh! KADIRI!!!

O, ano tini-tingin tingin mo dyan ha? he snapped.

Wag ka ngang feelingero! Ikaw nga diyan may pa blush blush pa!

Parang ikaw hindi ah! Ano, kinilig ka noh?

Wag kang mangarap ng gising. Its broad daylight, delusional!

At least the daylights not as broad as your forehead! Tumingala ako at pumikit, praying hard to the heavens. Pigilan niyo ako MAPAPATAY KO NA TALAGA TO!

Liams POV: Ano bang nangyari? Akala ko ba ayos na kayo?

We were in the caf having lunch with Maffy, and Ria had just been telling us about Gelo. Nagtataka talaga ako, ang alam ko kasi ok na sila, tapos biglang ganito yung kinukwento niya?

Kahit naman siguro sino ang magsabi sayo na mukhang blackboard ang noo mo, magagalit ka diba?

Ria said, fuming. Mukhang talagang napikon siya. Ang wirdo naman, bakit nga ba sasabihan bigla ni Gelo ng ganun si Ria? Lately nga akala ko nagkakagusto na siya kay Ria tas bigla niyang pipintasan ng harapan? Ang gulo talaga ah!

Grabe naman kayo, baka naman may sinabi ka ring hindi niya nagustuhan? tanong ni Maffy, looking concerned.

Wala ano!

Eh bakit ba parang galit na galit ka sa kanya kahit before pa kayo mag-usap? Nakipagpalit ka pa daw ng partner eh. May pinag-awayan ba kayo, ha?

She looked at me and said nothing. I get the feeling na may tinatago siya saken

Ano ka ba Liam, para kang NBI diyan. Teka nga, maiba tayo para malimutan ni Ria yung unggoy na yun Sino partner mo?

Si Denise.

Sumagi na naman sa utak ko yung nangyari sa amin ni Denise noong party ni Zoe. Kainis. Ayoko siyang maalala. Lasing ako nun, for crying out loud. That didnt mean anything There you go, said a nagging voice in my head. May tinatago ka rin kay Ria.

Anong piece?

Miss Saigon. Si Thuy at si Kim.

Wow. Good luck.

Back to the topic, baka naman pwede niyon ayusin yan? Alam mo kasi, saying yung grade kung sakaling papalpak kayo dahil lang diyan sa away niyo, diba?

Ako?! Ako mag-aayos?! Bakit, ako ba ang nagsabi na may noo siyang mukhang blackboard?!

Ria, its for your own good, you know. Kahit sa period lang ng preparation for this, maging maayos kayo sa isat isa. Kahit ilang araw lang kung talagang hindi kayo makatiis.

Makipag-bargain ka kasi. Sinasabayan mo kasi yung pang-aasar niya eh.

Takte! Bahala siya!

Mabait naman si Gelo eh, hell come around. Malakas lang siguro yung topak.

Wag na nga natin pag-usapan yun! Teka, sa Sabado na yung gig niyo diba?

Yup. Ang hirap nga mag-schedule ng rehearsal

Ilang kanta ba gagawin niyo?

2 or 3. Ideally, tig-isa kaming solo tas yung isa parang duet na.

Kakanta nga pala yun. Goodluck, diba? Sana hindi bumagyo.

Huy, tama na nga yan Ria. Ayan ka na naman.

Bakit, ang sabi ko lang naman

Heh! SHUT UP! I said, fed up. Nakakatulili na yung arguments nila ni Maffy. Shina-shut up mo na lang ako ngayon, ganun? Ria shot at me. Ang kulit niyo kasi e! Nakakatulili na. Ewan ko sayo! sabi niya, tapos t tumayo siya at umalis.

Naku, mukhang BUMINGO ako kay RRia

Gelos POV:

I watched her walk away, with Liam m and Maffy closely following her. Yigee! Nag-away sila!!! Elle saidd happily. Para kang ewan diyan.

Kunwari ka pa, kung di ko pa al lam eh ikaw yung tuwang tuwa.

Hoy hindi ah. Pakialam ko dun.

Wala daw pakialam pero dun na aman nakatingin

E ano naman?

Aminin na kasi!

Bahala nga kayo diyan, pinagka aisahan niyo na naman ako.

They both broke into hysterical laug ghter.

Ano bang nakakatawa? II asked angrily.

"Uyy napipikon

Napipikon daw, asus! Nagpipiko on pikunan lang yan para makapagwalkout din s siya at masundan niya si Ria!

LUL! Kayong dalawa tigilan niyo o ako ha, pagbubuhulin ko kayo diyan!

AWW. Takot ako.

Maiba ako, kayong dalawa, wag g kayong mawawala sa Sabado ha? Sabado? Ano nga pala ulit mero on?

DUHH. Gig nila, ng Fourth Wall. . First ever gig.

Naman. Ang bummer. Hindi ako o pwede eh.

Ano ba. Isama mo na lang kasi si Lance.

Nga naman, nang makaliskisan n namin!

Anong pinagsasabi niyo diyan? Hindi naman si Lance yung kasama ko sabi ni Rish. Napansin kong biglang lumungkot ang facial expres ssion niya.

O? Bakit nagdilim yang mukha mmo?

Ewan ko dun. Ang labo niya.

Sheesh. Bakit ang putla mo?

Napatingin ako sa sinabi ni Elle. Oo nga Ok ka lang Rish?

Yea. Medyo nahihilo lang ako.

Ano, gusto mo samahan ka namin sa clinic?

Wag na. Tara, baka ma-late pa tayo sa Math.

Habang naga-afternoon classes kami, binabantayan ko nang palihim si Rish. Mukha talaga siyang malungkot, tas parang masama pa yung pakiramdam niya. Ewan ko ba. Nag-aalala na ko dito, hindi naman siya ganyan

Something tells me it has something to do with Lance. Naku, pag nalaman kong siya may kasalanan patay siya saken!

Uy! Ano hatid kita pauwi? I offered pagdating ng dismissal.

Wag na. Kasama ko si Lance.

Pag may problema ha

Oo naman, ipapabugbog ko agad sa inyo ni Elle, sabi niya, smiling. Na-reassure naman ako sa sinabi niya kaya pinabayaan ko na lang.

Anong sabi? Elle asked habang naglalakad kami palabas ng campus. Ok lang daw siya. Sasabihin niya naman daw sa atin agad kung sakali eh.

Ewan ko Gelo ha. Pero wala akong tiwala sa pagmumukha nung Lance na yun.

Bakit, ako ba meron? Wala rin.

Oh well. Basta ba talagang sasabihin niya saten eh di

HEY!!! GELO!!!

Lumingon kami ni Elle. Tumatakbo si Ria na parang hinahabol kami. Oh, good luck Gelo, bye! sabi ni Elle sabay alis. AYOS AH.

We need to talk. Tungkol saan naman?

Itong hay naku. I want a truce.

HIMALA. Ano kaya pumasok sa utak nito?

Talaga? Oo naman. Tigilan na natin to. It's driving me mad. I mean, we're ok and all, right?

You think so?

Oh, PLEASE? Kahit dalawang araw lang? Just for this activity? Come on. We both need a high grade in this.

Aba, at dahil lang pala sa grade kaya siya nakikipag-ayos?!

Wow, I didnt realize ganun ka. Makikipag bati ka saken dahil sa GRADE?

Hindi sa ganun

She was still talking pero iniwan ko na siya at tumawid na ako sa kabila. Pang-asar talaga to! Naku, Gelo, palpak ka talaga sa babae kahit kelan Una, si Elle, ngayon ito!

HEY! ITS NOT WHAT I MEANT! she yelled from the other side of the road. Hindi ko siya pinansin.

GELO

And then there was a screech of brakes, followed by drawn-out screams that rent the air with the force of a speeding bullet

Napalingon ako, wondering what on earth could have caused it Right in front of a white SUV was a huddle of eager and anxious onlookers, surrounding something I couldnt see

It was then that I realized

Ria was nowhere in sight.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Gelo's POV:

Ria was nowhere in sight.

A different kind of dread pulled at my insides like a powerful; invisible hook. Without thinking, tumakbo ako papunta sa grupo ng taong nasa harap nung sasakyan na nagco-cause na ng hold up doon sa kalsada

Kabi-kabila ang tunog ng busina, but I hardly minded; at that moment, walang ibang nasa isip ko except for the desire na makita kung ano yung napapaligiran nila

With a scream of mingled fury and relief, I saw Ria get on her feet.

What the HELL were you thinking?! Ano ka ba, nagpapakamatay?!

She looked at me like I was an alien or something. Saka ko lang napansin na may akay siyang bata na umiiyak at tulo na ang uhog mula sa ilong. Hindi niya ako pinansin at nag-crouch siya para kausapin yung bata

Ok ka lang?

Mama *singhot*

Saktong may lumapit sa amin na babae.

Naku, ano ka ba naman anak! sabi niya, sabay sunggab at yakap doon sa bata. Bakit ka naman kasi tumawid!

Akala po yata niya iiwan niyo siya.

Sinabi ko naman sa kanyang may kukunin lang ako sa kotse eh! O, tahan na. Miss, salamat ha? Sige po.

Tinitigan ko si Ria as though I have never seen her before

I saw cuts on her hand and a huge p purple bruise on her arm, but she didnt seem to mind d habang nagbababay siya doon sa mag-ina. Nag-alisan na rin yung mga tao kaya hinila ko na siya pabalik sa schooll.

ARAY naman!

She sharply pulled her hand out of m my grasp, tas tiningnan niya yun may malaking suga at tas dumudugo talaga

Ikaw naman kasi, sinundan mo o pa ko!

Tonge! Hindi ikaw yung sinunda an ko, yung bata!

Eh kung ikaw yung nasagasaan n, sige nga?! As if naman may pake ka!

Syempre meron!

Natigilan kami pareho sa pagsisigaw wan.

Tara na nga.

Sabay kaming pumunta sa clinic, bu ut no one spoke the whole time. Pinanood ko lang hab bang ginagamot siya nung nurse. Hindi ko akalain kaya niya palang ggawin yun Badtrip! Eto na naman ako I'm fall ling even deeper... Saka naman may humahangos na p pumasok sa clinic

Ano nangyari?!

Agad tumabi si Liam kay Ria, na tipo ong kulang na lang eh hugutin yung kamay niya

Hoy! Dahan dahan naman!

Napatingin silang tatlo saken, pare-pparehong wide-eyed at tipong gulat. Kungsabagay, ka ahit naman ako nagulat. Siguro nalito yung nurse kung sino b ba talaga sa amin yung boyfriend ni Ria Diyan muna kayo, may kukunin n ako, sabi nung nurse bigla, tas umalis na. Ano ba kasi nangyari sa kanya? ? tanong ni Liam na para bang ako yung sinisisi niya. .

Liam, wala siya kinalaman doon n. Siya pa nga nagdala saken dito. May tumawid hinabol ko kasi masasagasaan n nung Prado. Kawawa naman diba?

Bakit kasi hinabol mo pa?

Eh anong gagawin ko? Papanoo orin?

Sige pa mag-away p pa kayo

Bumalik na yung nurse, may dalang g benda, tapos binalot niya noon yung kamay ni Ria. kasing bata, ayun O ayan. Bukas bumalik ka dito, papalitan na natin yan.

Sige po, thanks, sabi ni Ria, tapos bumaba na siya dun sa kinauupuan niya, without looking at Liam.

Thanks sa pagsama.

Ok lang. Alis na ko.

Hey wait!

Nilingon ko naman.

Ano, truce na? she said, offering her uninjured hand.

Oo naman. See ya sa English class bukas," I said, shaking it.

Nginitian ko na lang siya tapos umalis na rin ako.

Maffys POV: Ayoko pa umuwi.

Nakaupo kami ni Jon sa swing sa park, nagkukwentuhan lang.

Ako nga rin eh.

Dito na lang tayo matulog.

Tiningnan ako ni Jon. Nawindang ata sa sinabi ko.

Eto naman. Joke lang. Para namang rereypin kita noh!

Natawa ko kay Jon, namula ba naman kasi!

Haha. Papayag naman ako eh.

Gagu! Sira talaga tuktok mo!

Tagal na. Kaya nga maraming ayaw saken eh.

Wow, biglang serious mode?

Ano ba, matagal ko nang alam yun.

Hindi ah. Andito naman kami nila Ria eh, kaya hindi ka dapat nagda-drama diyan.

Kung wala siguro kayo, nabaliw na ko. Teka nga. Bakit ba hindi kayo magkasundo ng dad mo? Ewan ko din. Siguro same reaso on na hindi kayo magkasundo ng Mom mo.

Ang galing noh? Pareho tayo ng g situation. Meant to be?! sabi niya, sabay tawa. Natawa na rin tuloy ako. Siguro, par ra sa kanya nakakatawa. Pero sa akin

Uy, alam mo ba? Napaniginipan n ko na naman Dad ko kagabi. Nagkita raw kami, , kaso wala siyang mukha.

Wala ka ba maski picture?

Wala ano. Sabi ko naman sayo, , lahat ng traces ng Dad ko inalis ng Lola at Mom m ko. Kung pwede nga lang na mismong existence ni Da ad eh alisin, siguro ginawa na nila. Ang alam ko lang talaga, surname. Pero goodluck naman sa akin, ku ung pupuntahan ko lahat ng Figueroa sa mundo eh siguro matanda na ko ni anino hindi ko pa makikita. .

Gusto mo ba talagang makita a ang dad mo?

Oo naman. Im sure mas itatrat to niya akong tao kaysa kay Mom.

Palagay ko naman, hinahanap k ka rin nun.

Paano mo naman nasabi yun?

Wala lang.

Pinapalakas mo lang naman yunng loob ko.

Jon

Ano ka ba, I appreciate it. Ang aakin lang siguro kung talagang naghanap siya,, noon pa kami nagkita diba?

Natahimik kami. Minsan lang siya m magsabi ng nararamdaman niya kaya hinayaan ko na laang muna siyang mag- open ulit.

Tara na nga. Kasalanan ko pa p pag nagsermon na naman yung Dad mo.

Oo nga. Ewan ko ba dun, bakit nnag business man. Mas bagay naman sa kanya a ang magpari

Sira! Inaway pa yung tatay niya a! Tara na nga, sabi niya. Tumayo kami tas inakbay yan niya ko.

I felt safe.

Jonathans POV:

Ayos, nakalusot na naman ang the m moves ko Masaya ako ngayong kasama ko siy ya. Sana ganito kami palagi.

Katakot nga lang Paano ko ba liliga awan ito? Baka sabihin niya sinasamantala ko friendship namin. Ayokong masira yun. Naku kailangan ko tulong ni Ria

O, dito na ko ha, sabi niya, stree et na kasi nila.

Samahan na kita hanggang inyo o.

Ano ka ba. Wag na, baka magal lit pa Dad ko Sige na, good night!

Ayoko sana bumitaw sa pagkaakbay y ko kaso siya na yung kumalas. Kumaway na lang ak ko tas dumeretso sa bahay nina Ria para doon na lang makikain n.

Tita Elize! Makikikain po! Ay pasok na, eto talaga nagsasabi pa!

Sina Ria po?

Andun sila ng Ate niya sa taas. Puntahan mo muna, sabihin mo bumaba na kasi maluluto na to.

Sige po!

Masunurin naman akong bata kaya akyat naman ako. Narinig ko mga boses nila, mukhang andoon sila sa kwarto ni Ate Danna. Ate ano ba to

Bakit? Kasya naman ah?

Ang luwag kaya!

Kumatok ako.

Sino yan?

Si Jon.

Pasok ka!

Huy wag! Magbibihis muna ako!

Ngak! Ano ba meron dito sa mag-ate na to?

Ano ka ba, si Jon lang yan. Para makita na rin niya. Jon! Halika nga dito!

Binuksan ko yung pinto at pumasok ako.

Whoa. Nakita ko si Ria sa harap ng salamin, nakasuot ng bestida na mukhang kulang sa tela. Kita ang midriff niya. Nako, siguradong luluwa ang mata ni Liam dito

Ano yang suot mo?

Costume niya. Anong itsura? tanong ni Ria, looking conscious. Nag-isip ako panandali.

Kulang sa tela.

Nagtawanan kami.

Eto talaga si Manong Jonathan. Pero ok naman sa kanya diba?

Medyo maluwag nga, I said honestly, kaya pinalo ako ni Ate Danna.

Hayup ka! Anong ibig mong sabihin, mataba ako?

Bakit? SAYO YAN?!

Oo!

Eh mas mataba ka naman talaga saken eh!

Kapal mo! Anorexic ka kasi!

Hoy! Tigilan niyo nga yan! Bakit mo naman naisipang bumili ng ganyang damit, ha Ate Danna? Bugaw ka ba?

Gagu, hindi! Costume ko yan sa a IPC noon. Gagamitin niya kasi Moulin Rouge din n yung nabunot niya sa English class.

O? Sino nga pala partner mo?

Ah, si Gelo.

Uuuuy. Si Liam sino partner?

Si Den. Naku, papasikipan ko to o kay Mommy. Baka mahubaran ako sa Friday

Asus! Ang sabihin mo ipapa-fit mo para mas sumexy ka sa harap ni Liam!

Shut up Ate! sabi ni Ria, tapos lu umabas na siya ng kwarto, siguro para ipakita yung su uot niya kay Tita. DING!

Uy! May nag-message kay Ria!

Pinuntahan ni Ate yung laptop ni Ria a na nakalagay sa kama, may nag-message nga sa YM M. Naku, usiserang ate

Tingnan natin, dali! Baka si Liam m

But it wasnt Liam at all.

Gelo Fontanilla: Ei. Musta na kama ay mo? Pasensiya na kanina ha. Goodluck saten. See ya tomorrow.

Pasensya na kanina? Ano yun? Kakaiba naman yata ito. Uy, kayong dalawa, kakain na d daw, sabi ni Ria, sabay dungaw sa pinto. Naunang lumabas si Ate Danna, per ro bago makasunod si Ria kinalabit ko siya.

Bakit?

Patulong naman.

Saan?

Nagkamot muna ako ng ulo

Saan nga?

Kay Maffy. Her eyes widened, her jaw dropped, , and she broke into a wide smile.

As in?

Tss. Tama bang mas na-excite pa sa aken.

Chapter Twenty Five

Elles POV:

O, tapos? Gelo has just been telling me about how his practice with Ria had gone. Pinagpractice kasi lahat ng pairs kaninang English, eh pinaghanap kami ng mga secluded na places para hindi nga naman ma-distract lalo na sa line delivery. Well, since secluded at wala silang ibang kasama

Kailangan ko bang ikwento lahat ng detalye? tanong niya, taking a sip from his coke float. Nasa McDo kami ngayon, ang pinakamalapit na tambayan sa school namin.

Bakit? Maliban ba dun sa kwinento mo meron pa? I asked. He scratched his head.

Ang kulit mo. Ano bang iniisip mong ginawa namin dun?

Malay ko. Ano ba nangyari, ha? PG-13? R-18?

Binato niya ako ng French Fries.

Ang dumi ng isip mo.

Ano ba, joke lang naman. Alam ko namang gentleman ka eh. Malamang, dapat alam mo yun, diba? Ex? sabi niya, nang-aasar. Dont remind me. Isang napakalaking error yun sa buhay ko. Anyway, I said, cutting him off as he opened his mouth to protest, Sure kang yun lang?

Oo. Wala naman akong ginawa kaninang practice na wala sa script. Bakit ba kasi kailangang himayin mo pa yung kwento ko?

Well, I need to know every detail. Im a girl, remember? So Ill be able to interpret kung may hopes ka pa ba kay Ria. Baka kasi super obvious na, di mo pa halata, diba? Mr. Dense?

Hindi ako dense. Ayoko lang ng kung ano ano yung iniisip natin tas hindi naman pala dapat lagyan ng ibig sabihin.

I dont think you get it, Gelo. This is a matter of grave importance! I exclaimed. He laughed hysterically.

Elle, at this very moment may mga taong binobomba sa Iraq, maraming taong nagugutom sa Pilipinas, and we are on the verge of re-hiring an impeached president tapos ang pinoproblema mo, lovelife ko?! Whats wrong with you?!

It was my turn to laugh.

Well, wala naman po kasi akong magagawa sa mga social phenomenon na yan diba?

Para namang sa problema ko eh may magagawa ka.

OUCH, ang sakit nun ha, I said, acting mortally offended.

Thats not what I meant, naaapreciate ko naman kayo ni Rish...

I know, silly. Pero bakit ba kasi ang bilis mong mag-give up diyan?

He played with his drinks straw, sinking into silence. Si Rish kaya, kamusta na?

Waw, ayos ang pag-layo ng usapan ah.

Oh, which reminds me absent nga a pala si Rish. Kalungkot tuloy, wala akong kakamping g mang-alaska kay Gelo. Nung isang araw pa yun nahihilo-hil lo eh.

Ewan, di pa nagtetext.

Baka tulog. Sige hayaan na mun na natin Dont worry, shell be okay.

Isusubo ko na sana yung French frie es sa bibig ko nang

Oh my gosh, theyre here! Anong meron? said Gelo, turningg his head to look, but before he could do so I got his s face into my hands. Dont look, its them!

Eh ano naman? Tsaka Elle, yung g mukha ko

I quickly let go of his face. Remember, dont look, I said, p putting my hand on his arm.

What do you think youre doing g?!

Wala. I just want to see the loo ok on her face kung sakali

Youre leaning too close! Shut up or Ill kiss you!

His eyes widened, looking revolted. Gaah, I couldnt care less, really.

Lalo na ngayong dito nakatingin si R Ria.

Rias POV: Alam mo, kahapon ka pa.

I gave Liam a nasty look habang pappasok kami ng McDo. Nauna na sina Maffy at Jon sa looob, at medyo nagpaiwan ako so I can reprimand him, kanina pa siyang nakasimangot and it irritates me to no end d.

Napatingin ako sa isa sa mga tables s sa dulo. Andun si Elle, and she was sitting with some eone who looked a lot like

Kahapon pang ano?

Ganyan. Gloomy, emo, whatnot t. Meron ka ba?

Why, is it illegal?

Napairap ako sa sobrang inis. Ang a arte nito kahit kailan oh! Totopakin na lang, ngayon pa a! Naku, wag niyang sinasabayan ang toyo ng utak ko ha, magwo-world war to!

Wag na kasi tayo dito, sabi niya bigla.

Ano ba, nakikisabay lang naman tayo kasi nag-aya si Jon. Wag kang saken mainis kasi hindi naman ako yung nag-aya dito.

Sinabi ko bang sayo ko naiinis?

Hindi mo nga sinasabi, eh kung maka-ngalngal ka dyan eh parang ako pa sinisisi mo. Pasalamat ka nga nililibre pa tayo eh.

Hindi ko naman pinilit si Jon na isama tayo dito. Sa Starbucks na lang kasi.

ABA! Ang arte naman talaga! Baklitang to!

Well, SORRY ha, hindi kasi mayaman yung family namin, hindi kagaya nung iba, apelyido pa lang tunog milyones na Zobel, Ayala, at lalong hindi tunog FORENJER na parang Woods, diba? I told him, completely losing control.

Ang konti lang ng sinabi ko, ang dami mo nang nadugtong. Bakit ba ayaw mong umalis dito? Dahil ba nakita mo nandito rin si Gelo?

Gelo na naman?! MY GOD, Liam. GROW UP! I cant see why you have to get all worked up about him like that

Well its not like youre giving me no reason to get worked up about him being here

REASON? I said, giving out a horribly fake laugh. Binibigyan kita ng rason to be unreasonably jealous? What reasons?

I saw you practicing, and I could hardly describe that as perfectly innocent.

Its in the fcuking script, Liam!

Well you didnt have to follow it to the letter! Kulang na lang

Kulang na lang ano? I dared him.

Dont you get it? Hes using it! Hes using the fcuking script to get to you, and I cant stand that! At eto ka naman honestly, Im starting to think youre leading him on!

WHAPAKK!

I had slapped him before I could stop myself. Ive never been so angry in my entire life. That was an insult; I felt like vermin.

I NEVER dreamed na ganyan kababa ang tingin mo saken.

Im sorry. Nabigla ako

Kung gusto mong mag-Starbucks, magkape ka mag-isa mo, I said, and with that iniwan ko na siya at pumasok na ako. He didnt even follow me.

Pagpunta ko sa table, nagtaka ako sa mga itsura nila Jon at Maffy.

What happened?

Napatingin si Jon saken, as though signaling me to shut up. It was then that I saw the tray in front of Maffy, kung saan may mga salita which were spelled using French fries.

DAMN! I was ruining their moment! Pero di ako makaalis. Matagal ko ding hinintay to noh!

Seryoso ka?

Mukha ba kong nagpapatawa?

Then, Maffy did something incredible. She rearranged the fries I couldnt read it properly

But Jon did. He simply smiled widely, his cheeks burning red, then said

Kanino ulit yung Cheeseburger meal?

Chapter Twenty Six

Maffys POV:

Huy! Ano ba?!

I looked at Ria, trying to get myself out of reverie.

Ha? Ano nga ba yun?

Tanong ko, kung ok lang ba? she asked, taking another spin sa harap ng salamin.

Ano ba naman tong babaeng to. I dont think she realizes how beautiful shes looking while wearing that midriff- baring costume. She didnt look too confident either, but siguro dahil lang yun sa fact na hindi siya sanay magsuot ng mga ganung klaseng damit.

But honestly, kung ako sana ang ganun kaganda at ka-sexy

Nah. Never mind.

Today is our big English presentation slash Initial IPC Audition day. Maya-maya lang siguro, kakailanganin na naming bumalik sa classroom, 15 minutes lang kasi ang binigay sa aming preparation time (which is nowhere near sufficient).

Hindi lang okay, silly. Youre GORGEOUS! Eh ako? I asked, habang sinisimulan ko nang iligpit, este, itapon lahat ng makeup ni Ria sa vanity kit niya.

Oo naman noh. Buti ka nga, hindi mukhang taga-perya. Teka, bakit ba kanina ka pang tulala? she asked, now looking at her skirts loooooong slit, which was showing off her legs.

I hesitated. I wanted to tell her everything, but I didnt really know if I should.

May gusto ka bang i-share saken? she asked, pulling a funny face, the one she wore everytime she thought na alam niya kung anong iniisip ko. But truth is, she doesnt know even half of it. Siguro iniisip niya, may gusto akong ikwento tungkol kay Jon But this isnt about Jon at all.

*Flashback*

Dismissal Time, Thursday

Nasa ground floor ako nun, papunta sa gates. Dun kasi naming napag-usapang magkita-kita, manlilibre daw kasi si Jon. Abah, samantalahin na, diba?! Sobrang bihira yun!

Wala nang gaanong tao sa corridor, kaya halos pati footsteps ko para nang nag-eecho Teka, may naririnig ako whawhat about what happened at t Zoes party?

Kinalimutan ko na yun, Den. Fra ankly speaking, I think you should do the same.

Teka, sina Liam at Denise yun ah. Zoes party? I gotta listen to this.

Kalimutan? Naging special sake en yun. You cant possibly expect na kaya kong k kalimutan yun ng ganun ganun na lang!

For heavens sake, Denise! Get a grip! It was just a kiss!

JUST A WHAT?!

Just a kiss? Liam, you dont jus st kiss every girl you know ON THE LIPS!

Dont be stupid, hindi ibig sabih hin na hinalikan kita eh gusto na rin kita. I was d drunk, remember? I didnt have a clue on what I was s doing.

So ano yun, wala lang? Playtim me?! Ano ako, manika na hahalikan mo tuwing na alalasing ka? Denise screeched, her voice breaking. I felt t an awful mix of pity and resentment for her.

Den, you know about me and R Ria. Ikaw, buong mundo. Alam niyong lahat how much I love her.

OH PLEASE. Dont you hit me w with that one. Pwede ba! I know for a fact that yo oure kissing other girls behind her back, at nasisikmura mong sabihing you love her?! She may not know w about it, but I do! That girl from Seton, that Saling ggawi member, and even that Volleyball captain ffrom DLA!"

DLA?! So ang ibig sabihinm yung g girl nung isang araw Umalis na ako. I didnt think I could hear any more of that *End of Flashback* I wanted to tell her about it kahapon n, but Jon completely drove it out of my mind. SCREW HIM!

Tara na, were LATE!!! said Ria, , panicking. Kinuha niya lahat ng paper bag in sight. Ria ano yung pinag-awayan n niyo kahapon? I asked her, intending to bring the to opic up. HEAVENS help me.

Oh. Just some bullcrap Liam wa as making about Gelo. Honestly, hes getting so u unreasonable. Pinagselosan na naman niya si Gelo?

I asked, my voice higher and angrier tha an I had intended. Paano ba naman kasi, ang KAPAL ng mukh ha ni Liam na mag-accuse ng kung ano ano, eh kung t tutuusin, siya tong may ginagawang milagro! Ewan ko ba, he always finds rea asons para lagyan ng malisya yung mga ginagaw wa namin ni Gelo. Kinakabahan nga ako ngayong p performance baka mag-inarte na naman.

Naku, MAMATAY na yang boyfie mo, , Ria!!! Sh.t! Ano, sasabihin ko na ba? Its NOW or NEVER, Maffy Oh sh.t Ria said very suddenly in a low, shocked whisper.

Bakit? I asked, thinking shes for rgotten or dropped something. Pero hindi. She was staring at a poin nt about ten meters away ahead of us There stood a tall figure who was loo oking crisp and elegant in a white polo, black vest and d slacks. Oh my GOD. Ang gwapo niya, ssaid Ria, as though she was about to faint.

Gelos POV:

Badtrip naman itong nahiram kong c costume! MUKHA AKONG WAITER!

Ang init pa. Siguro pag nalaman ni E Ewan McGregor na siya yung ginagaya ko, maiinsulto yun! Amp naman talaga. Bakit ba kasi hindi ako pinanganak n na James Bond material?! Id be happy to get all thosee girls But then again isa lang talaga ang g gusto ko but shes the one I could never

I could never have imagined that sh he could be this beautiful. Natulala ako. Shes taken my breath h away. My heart was banging like crazy aga ainst my ribs. Much like an old, black-and-white, Casa anova-type movie, I took a slow, tentative step and made sure I wasnt seeing things.

The funny thing was, natigil din siya a sa kinakatayuan niya. Nakatingin din siya saken Huy! Ano bang tinatanga mo diyyan? said a voice. It was Elle, standing on my left. N Nandun siya sa pintuan ng classroom namin, nakadungaw. Si Ria kasi eh. Hindi ko tuloy na-rea alize na nandun na pala ako. Lumabas si Elle, who was also weariing her costume, para tingnan kung ano man yung tin nitingnan ko, habang

nagsimula na ring maglakad papunt ta samin sina Maffy at Ria. Whoa, Ria, you look GREAT! sa aid Elle, on whose face was a look of genuine admirati ion.

Thanks.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Ria. I opened my mouth to try and tell h her how beautiful I think she was, but no sound came out

I felt stupid, standing there with my y mouth half-open. It was her who broke the silence.

So ano, ready ka na?

Ah ehh oo naman. Wow. Ang ganda ng porma nati in ah? said a voice mula sa likod ko. Si Liam pala. Nakacostume na rin si iya para sa piece nilang Miss Saigon, pang-sundalo. Naakangiti rin siya na parang nang-iinis.

Alam mo, dude, tray na lang sakka bow tie ang kulang, pwede ka nang waiter.

Nag-init agad ang ulo ko.

Liam started Ria, but I cut he er off. Thanks bro. Pero mas ok na sig guro yun kaysa sa mga taong kahit bihisan mo na ang pang-sundalo eh LAMPAYATOT pa rin naman ang labas.

Elle laughed hysterically, at kahit sin na Maffy at Ria di nakapagpigil. How smart, Liam said, looking m more than ready to kill me. What are you guys doing here i in the corridor? Get your butts in there! sabi ng tteacher namin, who appeared out of nowhere. Masunurin kaming mga bata at pum masok na sa room. Syempre, kelangan tabi kami ni Ria a Haha, salamat kay Maam.

Araw ko ngayon, Liam. Gusto ko na tuloy magperform para a lalo siyang mainis. Kakaririn ko na to!!! Kainis, ayaw pa kami tawagin ni Maam. Ihuhuli pa yata kami e. Badtrip, nakaka-pressure tuloy. Ang g gagaling nila. Kahit sina Denise at Liam, kahit ayoko o aminin, na-intimidate ako. Marunong palang umarte yung pilipit ang dila na yun?

Hayup yan. Di kami pwedeng bassta magpatalo sa dalawang lampayatot na yun!

Gelo and Ria? Youre next!

I looked at Ria, who looked nervous s.

Game ka na?

Di pa eh.

Lets go beat them up, I said, a at pasimple kong hinawakan ang kamay niya to reassu ure her, at the same time making sure na walang nakakita.

Tumayo na kami at pumunta sa har raap ng classroom. I went for the far corner, while si Ria naman doon sa gitna.

Kanina, lamig na lamig yung kamay y ko. But when Ria smiled at me, I felt lik ke I can conquer anything. Even the waiting audience. .

Go!

I walked slowly from the corner of thhe room, while she faced me at kunwari nagulat siya. .

Everyone was quiet. Ayos! It must m mean we look convincing!

Ive come to pay my bill, I said d, looking straight into her eyes and nothing else She raised her chin up, in a perfect imitation of her character You shouldnt be here, Christian n. Just leave, she said, tapos naglakad siya na para ang paalis. I mildly pulled her arm, but her actinng made it look like I had done it sharply.

Brilliant. I can see Liams face in the e crowd.

You made me believe that you l loved me. Why shouldnt I pay you?

Takte. Muntik pa mabulol. She attempted to break free from m my grasp.

Why cant I pay you like everyo one else does? I hissed, pulling her closer so that ouur faces were just mere inches apart.

Someone in the crowd gasped.

Christian, theres just no point. . Just leave, she said, pleading. No! Let me pay! I said, now hold ding her by both arms.

Haha. Ang audience na-carried away y

Tell me it wasnt real.

Just go!

Tell me you dont love me!

She looked away, pretending to be iin tears. I shook her.

TELL ME YOU DONT LOVE ME!

Ayos. Tingin kami sa audience para masignal yung curtain thingy sa movie. Then, I pulled d her tas pinabayaan ko siya sa floor.

A sense of recklessness came and to ook over. I went and looked for Liam this would be a appropriate.

This woman is yours now.

I tried to pull a wad of fake money o out of my pocket. Hala. Ayaw matanggal. Antutcha, ta alagang kailangan ng blooper! YES! I managed to pull it out, then I thre ew it at Ria.

Ive paid my wh.ore.

Nagtinginan ulit kami, gaya ng napa agusapan sa practice. The audience was holding their brea ath while Ria was there, staring at me. Her facial expression was incredible. . Halos makalimutan ko yung next lin ne Thank you for curing me of my ridiculous obsession with love, I said, tapos nagl lakad ako ng konti papunta sa aisle. Ok, FREEZE! our teacher yelled, much like what she did dun sa ibang nag-perform. What she did next shocked me to no o end

She stood up and started clapping. Nagpalakpakan din yung classmates s namin but wala namang tumayo. Biglang bumalik yung kaba ko in fulll measure. Ang ginawa ko na lang, binalikan ko si Ria I offered her my hand para makatay yo siya, and she took it, smiling. Galing. Pang-Oscars! she whisp pered.

Ikaw din! I said, smiling. Napatin ngin kami ulit sa audience. Grabe, di sila napapagod pumalakpa ak!

para di halata.

AYOS TALAGA TO!!!

Ok. Calm down, guys. Im gonn n Tumahimik

Good. On Monday, to be held in n

a make an announcement. I said SHUT UP, everyyone! the School Auditorium, are the FINAL Auditions s. I am going to choose three pairs from this class, at ka ailangan niyong pumunta sa Audi sa Monday afte er classes. From those six pairs, 3 from this class and th hree from the other, I am going to choose who w will represent our school in the IPC. Ready?

READY!

Ria and Gelo, youre obviously i in.

There was a fleeting moment of clap pping.

Jamie and Leo, so are you!

Palakpakan ulit. Sino kaya yung sus sunod??

And last but not the least

LIAM AND DENISE. Chapter Twenty Seven

Rias POV:

Lintikan naman eh! Hindi ka ba babangon diyan?!

Naku patay. Nagmumura na si Aling Danna.

Ate naman, saglit lang. Mabilis naman akong kumilos.

Mabilis?! Lokohin mo lelang mo. Magbihis ka na, male-late na tayo sa gig nina Liam.

Naman itong si Ate, walang konsiderasyon. Kita nang galing ako sa cheerleading at pagod sa kakasayaw maghapon, eto siya at mangungulit. Naku naman

Bakit ba nagpapa-delay ka pa diyan? Ayaw mo ba mapanood si Liam?

Ano ka ba. Ginawan pa ng isyu o.

Di nga? Balita ko nag-away kayo eh.

Kanino mo na naman nasagap yan? Kay Jonathan?

Kanino pa? Haynako, iniiwas mo naman eh

Kainis naman, ayoko pa naman pag-usapan. Ewan ko ba. Ang weird, naaasiwa kasi ako. Basta, maalala ko lang si Liam, kakaiba Magkahalong asar at inis ang nararamdaman ko

Girls! Andyan na si Toff, dali! Sumabay na kayo! sigaw ng mommy ko from downstairs. Bakit pa tayo sasabay sa kanila? We have our own car! I said indignantly. At that moment, wala ako sa mood na umupo sa iisang sasakyan na kasama si Liam. Im so sick of him.

Ano ba! Edi magtricycle ka kung gusto mo! Ang arte mo ha!

Bihira kaming magkainisan ni Ate, pero kasi naman. Pati ba naman yun, kailangan niya pang pakialaman?!

Hindi na ko bata

O, okay lang ba kayo? tanong ni Kuya Toff habang papasakay na kami ng kotse.

Wala. Tara na, asan ba si Liam? tanong ni Ate, still sounding irritated.

Nauna na, nagmamadali daw eh, sabi ni Kuya, casting a curious glance at me.

Meron bang

Toff, tara na! sigaw ni Ate, saving me from the need to answer. Sumakay na lang ako at nagpasalamat na hindi ko muna kakailanganing harapin yung boypren kong EWAN.

Pagdating namin sa Rave (yun pala ang pangalan ng disco-bar thingy na yun) marami-rami nang tao, karamihan taga-school namin, yung mga taong nagtitilian kapag may game sina Liam. Nakaset up na rin yung stage asan kaya si Gelo?

Hi! Can I sit here?

Tumingin ako sa nagsalita; si Elle pala. I hesitated. Tatabi siya saken? Baka mabuhusan ako ng mantika o ng kung ano mang mainit nito Pretty please? she asked sweetly. Tumango na lang ako at nagpumilit ngumiti. Are they going to start na? Grabe naman to. Ang daldal.

Uhm, ewan. Sabi six o clock daw w ang start eh.

Its five past six Oh well, she e said, taking a look at her expensive-looking wristwat tch. Grabe, bihis na bihis siya ngayon. Pati makeup full effect.. Nagpapacute na naman kaya siya sa ex niya?

ASA KA PA, ELLE!

Oops. Saan galing yun?

Nga pala, congrats for making i it sa final auditions. Sana mapili kayo, she said. Naasar ako sa sarili ko for noticing na she sounded sincere. Si Elle ba talaga itong katabi ko? Parang hindi.

Thanks. Sana nga.

Alam mo ba, ako yung nag-sugg gest ng kakantahin ni Gelo tonight? she said. Na aasar ako sa tono niya. Ano ba gustong palabasin nito? Sabuunutan ko to eh.

Talaga?

Yup. You should wait and see. I Its SO appropriate.

Buti na lang, biglang nag-dim ang ligghts, kundi siguro, napansin niya na tiningnan ko siya a ng masama. Pero bakit ba ako maiinis? Eh kung ppara kay Elle nga yung kakantahin ni Gelo, ano nama an yung pakialam ko doon diba? Eh bakit ba kasi kailangan niyang ip pamukha saken?! LINTIKAN naman eh!

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WELC COME TO THE RAVES GRAND OPENING NIGHT! W WILL YOU PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR OUR FIRSST ACT, FOURTH WALL! said a booming voice from m the speakers.

Nagdilim na lahat ng ilaw maliban dooon sa mga spotlight sa stage. Four people appeared, , three of them holding guitars; the last one was holding dru um sticks. Nagpuntahan na sila sa mga designa ated places nila

I immediately caught Gelos eye. He e smiled at me, and I did the same.

Then, they started playing a tune ((click here for the first song)

It was Liams voice that came next

Im not a perfect person Theres many things I wish I did dnt do

Natulala ako. His voice rang with em motion

I never meant to do those thing gs to you And so I have to say before I go That I just want you to know

I FOUND A REASON FOR ME TO CHANGE WHO I USED TO BE

Who he used to be?! Ano yun? May ibig sabihin ba yun? Dapat ko bang lagyan ng ibig sabihinn yun? O talagang nagsosorry lang siya?

Thats why I need you to hear I found a reason for me. To change who I used to be A reason to start over new And the reason is you

He was looking at me and I didnt lik ke it. He looked guilty. Way beyond the level he should be in for being immature

I never meant to do those things to you

Those words rang over and over in my head, and I was confused Hindi ko talaga gusto to

Natapos na yung kanta. There was clapping, and I halfheartedly joined in. Iniisip ko pa rin Badtrip naman. Kung ano ano ang sumasagi sa utak ko

OMG. Gelos next! GO GELO!!! yelled Elle from beside me. I was jerked back to reality. I tried not to get annoyed with Elles screams. Grabe, para siyang fan na patay na patay

I turned to watch Gelo instead, and my heart skipped a beat. HE WAS LOOKING STRAIGHT AT ME.

(click here for Gelo's song)

I shouldnt love you, but I want to

My jaw dropped

I shouldnt see you, but I cant move I cant look away. And I dont know how to be fine when Im not

Coz I dont know how to make the feeling stop

Just so you know, this feelings taking control of me And I cant help it I cant sit around, I cant let him win now Thought you should know Ive tried my best to let go of you But I dont want to

SH.T

Ano bang ginagawa mo?! Lintikan. Lalo tuloy akong naguguluhan

Gelos POV:

She was avoiding my eyes, pero ok lang Sabihin nang nananadya. Pero wala namang masama diba?

Its getting hard to be around you Theres so much I cant say Do you want me to hide the feelings And look the other way? And I dont know how to be fine when

Biglang may umalingawngaw na ingay mula sa speakers; ang pangit. One of our guitars must be malfunctioning; one of them was out of tune.

It was then that I saw Liam who was banging on his guitar like crazy, doing a different song that had a much faster tune there was a manic glint in his eyes as he reveled on the fact that he was sabotaging my performance Then I realized he was actually doing our last song but what the fcuk? Im not even finished yet! Pero para hindi na magkagulo yung performance, hinayaan ko na lang. Sinundan ko na lang yung pagtugtog niya nung sumunod na kanta Nawala na ako sa mood kaya hindi ko na siya sinabayan kahit dapat eh duet kami. Mukhang flabbergasted yung mga nanonood. Saan ka nga naman nakakakita ng mga bandang nagbabastusan ang vocalists?

Time flew and it was time for us to go backstage. Padabog kong nilapag yung gitara ko dun sa sofa doon, habang galit din yung drummer namin at nagsimulang pagalitan si Liam. What the fcuk were you doing?! You sabotaged it! Nakita mo ba mga itsura nila? Ano ka ba?!

Liam wasnt talking. He simply looked at me na parang gusto niya akong patayin in the most brutal way possible. Ganyan na yata ngayon e. Harapan nang bastusan, sabi ko, without thinking. Sinugod ako ni Liam, grabbing my shirts collar.

Ako pa bastos ngayon?! Sino kaya ang mas bastos sa ating dalawa?!

Inaawat kami ng mga tao, pulling us away from each other.

Nakatingin ka sa girlfriend ko habang kumakanta hindi ba mas malaking kabastusan yun?!

Tingin?! Bakit, anong masama kung tingnan ko siya?!

Shes MINE, you son of a b.tch, so get the fcuk off her!

Dont you talk about her like that! I yelled, pushing him. Hindi mo siya pag-aari!

Ill do whatever I want to do with her, at wala kang karapatang pakialaman yun!

So ganun na yun? Wala siyang karapatang tingnan ang ibang guys, habang ikaw eh perfectly entitled na makipaghalikan sa iba while shes got her back turned?!

His eyes widened in horror. Pati yung mga bandmates naming umaawat sa amin, nagulat at napatingin sa kanya. Then, out of nowhere, his knuckles came in hard contact with my face. I fell and saw stars in front of my eyes. Hindi ako nakatayo agad, nahihilo pa ako. He must be really angry. Tatlo nang tao ang nakahawak sa kanya para pigilan siyang makalapit ulit saken Whats the matter, Liam? I asked, wanting to agitate him even more. Does the truth hurt?! May nagdatingan ulit sa backstage kaya naging mas crowded, and in that sea of blurred faces, I saw Rias features

swim in and out of focus. She shouldve come earlier she shouldve heard it dapat narinig niya... Inilabas na nila si Liam, at ang natira lang, yung ibang staff nung bar, yung drummer namin, si Ria at ako.

Bakit kaya nandito pa siya? Could she possibly be worried about me? Gelo she said, helping me stand up. Ok ka lang? Yeah. Im ok, I said, looking at her.

Can you do me a favor? she asked, unable to look me in the eye.

Ano yun?

Please dont do that again.

Napatingin ako sa sinabi niya. It hurt like mad. I tried to smile. Dont worry. I wont, I said, tap pos tinalikuran ko na siya. I heard footsteps, and when I lookedd again she was gone.

Chapter Twenty Eight

Maffys POV: Weh? Maniwala ako sayo, barbe ero ka.

Jon has just been telling me na kasa ali siya sa final auditions ng IPC mamayang hapon. Di talaga yata ako makapaniwala. I mean, itong mokon ng na to, isasalang mo sa stage? Pwede ba?!

Mukha ba akong nagpapatawa? ?! he asked indignantly, his mouth full of hamburger. . We were in the caf eating lunch.

Haynako, basta. Kelangan nand dun ka mamaya.

Syempre naman noh. Saka andu un din naman si Ria kaya hindi rin ako pwede ma awala.

Oo nga pala no? Eh teka, asan n na ba yung asungot na yun?

Ayun, kasabay ni Liam.

So ibig sabihin bati na sila?

Kahapon pa.

O bakit parang di mo ata trip na a bati na sila ngayon?

Napatingin ako sa sinabi ni Jon. Ewa an ko ba, pero naaasar talaga ako kay Liam eh. Di niy ya pa kasi sinasabi kay Ria

o sa kahit kanino sa amin yung tung gkol kay Denise. O? Natulala ka na naman?

Tiningnan ko si Jon, weighing my op ptions. Kung sa kanya ko kaya sabihin? Kaso baka magkagulo na naman. Si igurado akong magagalit si Jon nang todo kay Liam; k kapatid na kasi ang turing niya kay Ria and there were even tim mes na naging overprotective siya at nag-a la Kuya n na pag kumilos. I can hardly imagine kung ano ang pwede eng mangyari

Huy! FRANCESCA! Ha? Sorry. May iniisip lang ako. .

Nainis ako sa sarili ko. Bakit ko ba kasi tinatago? It would b benefit everyone pag nalaman na nila Im SUCH a coward

May tinatago ka ba saken, ha Fr rancesca? he asked, now looking unusually serious. .

Ano ka ba?! I hissed, trying to so ound offended para tumigil na siya. O, akala ko ba sasabayan tayo nung friend mo ngayon?

Nge, ewan ko ba dun. Badtrip k kasi yun kanina e. Paano ba naman kasi, yung gir rlfriend niya pumasok sa school na iba ang kasabay.

Iba? Sino naman? Ayun o! sabi ni Jon, sabay turo sasa likod niya. Nakita ko sina Gelo at Irish na magk katabi sa isang table, nag-uusap ng seryoso. Grabe yang kaibigan mo ha. Serial mangaagaw. Nung una sina Ria at Liam ang ginugulo, ngayon si Lance saka si Rish.

Hindi naman ako nakaimik. Ang labo naman nito ni Gelo o. Nung sabado lang, si Ria ang kinakantahan, ngayon ito? Has he developed a taste for girls who are taken?

Naku ha, subukan niyang umaligid sayo, makakatikim siya.

Ano ka ba naman, kung ano ano pinag-iisip mo.

Eh bakit? Diba panggugulo naman talaga yung tawag doon? Tss. Ewan ko. Banas talaga ako dun.

Jon has been talking about Gelo like this simula pa nung Saturday. Nabanas talaga siya dun sa ginawa ni Gelo. Its not like hindi reasonable, pero nakakabastos nga naman. Pero kung alam kaya ni Jon yung mga ginagawa ni Liam, would he still take Liams view of things?

My thoughts got interrupted again when the bell rang, signaling the start of afternoon classes.

Hay salamat, After 48 years natapos rin. If boredom was fatal, kanina pa kong namatay.

Sabay sabay kami nina Jon, Ria at Liam na pumunta sa audi. Sweet na uli sila at lalo naman akong naiirita kay Liam. Akala mo inosente! BWISET! Naku naman kasi, Maria Francesca, bakit ba ang duwag duwag mo?! Halos wala pang kalaman-laman yung audi noong dumating kami, maliban siguro kay Maam na nandoon na sa stage at may binabasang papel. Saglit lang ha, hahanapin ko lang si Denise, sabi ni Liam, at umalis na siya ulit. Just moments afterward, dumating naman si Gelo at tumabi sa amin.

Wala namang sinabi si Maam na dalhin yung costume nung Friday diba?

Umiling si Jon at sinamaan ng tingin si Gelo, who fortunately didnt notice anything. Bago ang bag ah, bati ko. Inirapan ako ni Jon.

Ah, oo. Dala ng Dad ko.

Umuwi na Dad mo?

Natahimik kami at napatingin kay Ria, who suddenly blushed.

Oo. He arrived Saturday night.

Thats cool, said Ria, forcing a smile. Ang awkward Nakita na namin si Maam na pumunta sa podium. She grabbed the microphone

Guys, listen carefully. Kaya ko kayo hindi pinagdala ng costumes is because were going to

Biglang nawala yung sound. Sira yung mic? She tapped it again and again pero wala pa rin.

Then, out of nowhere, namatay lahat ng ilaw. Bumukas ang projector, which was flashing big, red words Get to know this years MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

Anong?!

Put your hands together for LIAM WOODS!! Oh, !@#$, Elle! I heard someone whisper in the dark.

Now, why dont we take a closer look at our fave PLAYERS life?

May nag-flash na picture, and there was a collective gasp. Parang paparazzi shot lang, except na si Liam ang nandoon at may kasamang babae May dalawa pang sumunod na picture, pero ibang babae ulit

SH.T! Ito na yung sinabi ni Denise!

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST

The crowd groaned in utter disgust. On the screen were larger-than-life versions of Liam and Denise, looking like they were glued by their mouths.

I heard a distinct, muffled sob that pulled at my insides, and then a scuffle of footsteps. Nang bumukas na ang mga ilaw, I caught a glimpse of Ria habang kumakaripas siya ng takbo palabas ng auditorium.

Instinctively, Jon, Gelo and I stood up and came running after her. The crowd watched us unofficially break Olympic records as we rushed through the aisles

Pagkalabas namin ng audi, nauna na sa amin si Gelo; ang bilis niyang tumakbo. Sana maabutan niya si Ria Papatakbo na sana kami ulit ni Jon nang

Maffy! Jon! Ano nangyari?!

Without giving me time para mapigilan siya, mabilis na hinarap ni Jon si Liam

Bro, what?!

The next thing I heard was the sickening crunch of Jons fist against Liams jaw. Natakot ako. Hindi ko pa siya nakitang magalit ng ganoon. He pointed a shaking finger at Liam, who was cowering on the floor, clutching his face.

Dont you DARE come anywhere near her again!

MR. FIGUEROA! said a voice that echoed through the corridors. Nakita kong papalapit at terorista naming Guidance Counselor. TANG*NA. NALOKO NA.

Go to the office with me this instant!

Numb with shock and terror, sumunod ako sa kanila. !@#$, she was leading us to the Principals office I cant believe this. A huge nightmare was unfolding right before my very eyes.

And yet, Jon looked composed, not abashed in the slightest. He didnt seem scared of the fact that he might be facing expulsion.

Its all my fault. Sana sinabi ko na noon pa

Nang bumukas ang pinto, lalo akong nawindang. I felt like my heads crumbled to pieces. Ang gulo

Tito Danny? What are you doing here?

The School Principal stood there, smiling at us.

Oh. Im sorry for the unfortunate circumstances, Sir. I intended this to be more ah dramatic.

What the bloody hell was she talking about?!

Im sorry maam. But I thought Thought were going to expel yoou? No, dear. Not in front of him, anyway.

Him? Whats he got to do with m me?

Tito Danny cleared his throat.

Everything, Hijo. Let me introdu uce myself first he said, at lumapit siya kay Jon. Jonathan, Im Daniel Luis Figueroa. Your long-lost Dadd. a Elles POV: Rave Disco Bar

I want to go home.

Now? Are you kidding?! Alas ot tso pa lang!

Punyeta. Im bored to death. This gu uy Zoes set up for me is no good. Why dont you have another driink? he asked.

No thanks. Im goddamn smash hed. So anong gagawin natin dito? he asked angrily.

Heres an idea, why dont you g get your ugly little face outta here before I chop your head off?

B.tch! he said loudly, and he stalkked off.

I came in here hoping to calm myse elf after what had happened this afternoon, but what t the hell. Its only gotten worse. I seriously am starting to regret wha at I had done sa Auditorium, but I think Liam got wha at he deserved. Yun nga lang, pati si Ria napahiya

But it was her fault too. Gelo tried too tell her, pero anong ginawa niya? Hah. Magsama sama sila.

Pumunta ako ng CR, umiikot ang pa aningin ko and I think Im gonna throw up

I tried to walk but everything was sp pinning. Hayup ang tama nung inumin na yun ah. San nay akong uminom tapos ganito? Lintikan. I gotta reach that goddamn n CR soon

Along the way, I saw a lot of familia ar faces, one of them even having a three way dirty da ancing thing going on with these two hot guys. Grabe yung bab baeng yun ah. Malakas na rin siguro yung tama

It was then that something clicked innto place inside my head, jerking me back into full co onsciousness. Even the spinning stopped as I stoodd there, groping for my cellphone inside my purse. Panicking, I dialed the first name in my phonebook

Hello?

Gelo? Oh my god

Elle? Bakit? Are you all right?

Gelo, SOS. Si Ria, andito sa disco bar, nagwawala

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Gelo's POV:

PRRRRRRRRT!

Ampota. Kung kelan ka naman nagmamadali oo! Ba't kasi ngayon pa naisipan ng tukmol na traffic aide na to na patigilin yung mga tumatawid?! Sh.t. Di ko na yata to mahahabol! Ang layo niya na!

"A-ano n-naha-b-bol mo?" tanong ni Elle, hinihingal. Nakitakbo rin pala siya.

"Malamang, hinde! Ayun na o!" sagot ko. Gusto kong pilipitin yung leeg nitong traffic aide. AMP talaga. Ang mga tao nga naman ngayon, panay wrong timing!

"Teka nga pala, bakit di mo sinabi saken na ngayon mo pala gagawin yung plano mo?"

"Aba, natural. Alam ko naman kasi hindi ka papayag e!"

I glared at Elle, tapos tumingin ulit ako sa kabilang kanto wala na siya

"Ano ba, ang tagal na natin tong plano, tas ngayong nagawa ko na, nag-iinarte ka dyan!"

"Hindi ako nag-iinarte. Ang akin lang, you should have given me at least an idea... Hindi yung pati ako na-surprise."

She was trying not to roll her eyes with difficulty; the expression on her face was half-exasperated, half- sympathetic. Naglakad na lang ako pabalik ng school, she followed me.

"Look. I know she was hurt. BIG TIME. If you think I did that to get even or whatever, you're wrong. I don't want her hurt as much as you do."

I looked at her and saw the sincerity in her eyes.

"Alam ko naman yun e."

Natahimik kami.

"Ang tigas talaga ng mukha ni Liam. Isipin mo, nag-audition pa rin kahit binu-boo siya ng audience."

"Talaga? Hah. Hindi na bago yan" "At wag ka. Siya yung napili. At oo nga pala, yung bag niyo ni Ria andoon pa sa audi. Ikaw na lang mag-uwi nung kay Ria, na-office kasi sina Jon at Maffy."

"Ha? Bakit?!"

"Jinombag ni Jon si Liam eh. You should've seen it," said Elle with an awful, twisted smile that told me she was delighted. "Serves him right," I said.

"Sige na, mauna na ako"

DING! DONG! May lumabas na middle aged woman na nakasuot ng apron at cooking gloves.

"Hi hijo. May I help you?"

"Good evening po, andyan na po ba si Ria?"

"Naku, wala. Umalis."

Sunod na lumabas si Ate Danna.

"Gelo? What're you doing here?"

"Dinala ko lang itong bag niya. Naiwan niya kasi sa school kanina."

"Gelo, alam mo ba kung ano nangyari sa kapatid ko?" tanong ni Ate pagkakuha niya nung bag. "Parang umiiyak kasi siya kanina. Hindi nagsasalita, tapos nagbihis at umalis" She sounded so worried but I decided I'm not the right person to tell her that.

"Hindi ko rin alam, Ate. Di bale, hahanapin ko siya. Pag nakita ko ihahatid ko na lang dito."

"Naku naman," sabi ng mom nila, "Asaan na ba yung anak ko? Tsaka teka, hindi ba niya kasama si Liam? Hindi na ikaw yung dapat na naaabala dito"

"Ok lang po yun. Sige po, tuloy na ako"

Umuwi ako sa bahay para magbihis, tapos bahala na kung saan ako magsisimulang maghanap

"Angelo?" I heard someone say. I saw my dad in the dining room, may hawak na platter ng ulam. It was then that I noticed na naka-set for three people ang table namin.

"Bakit po?"

"Halika na. Sabay sabay na tayo kumain." Mag-isang kumilos ang mga paa ko papunta sa dining table. Everything else was driven out of my head, I got all too excited about the prospect of the three of us eating together again

LIKE A REAL FAMILY

"At anong drama na naman ito, ha Ricardo?" said a harsh, rasping voice. It was my mom, who had just entered the room holding a glass half-full of brandy.

DAMN IT. She's drunk again.

"Trying to win us back?" she asked, bursting into a hysterical, scathing laughter. My dad's expression was suddenly wooden.

"No. Just sit down and let's eat. We haven't done this in a long time."

"Oh, just how incredibly smart of you. But do you realize whose fault it was? That we're not you know," she said, smiling twistedly, "that we're not a perfect, normal family?"

"Mom"

"Shut up. I wasn't talking to you, son."

"Can't you at least try to act civilized in front of your son?"

"Civilized?" she said, throwing my Dad a hard look, "And who're you to lecture me about being civilized?"

"STOP IT!" I yelled. I found myself on my feet, though I was unaware of standing up. I was shaking like mad. I've never been so angry in my entire life. "Having a GO at each other every SINGLE time don't you ever get tired of it?! Bakit hindi pa kayo magpatayan nang matapos na?!"

My mom's derisive expression was all but gone, and she was now staring at me with wide, fearful eyes. My dad massaged his forehead with his fingers, his reflex action whenever he gets stressed. For a few moments, no one spoke.

"I'm sorry, son," sabi ng mom ko, then iniwan niya sa wine counter yung baso niya tapos umupo siya (though uneasily) sa tabi ng Dad ko.

It was then that my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Gelo Oh my god"

It was Elle. She sounded so worried.

"Elle? Ok ka lang ba?"

"Gelo, SOS. Si Ria, andito sa bar, nagwawala"

My mind went blank with shock.

"Sh.t. Saang bar?"

"Dito sa Rave"

"Sige, I'll be there in a sec," I said, hanging up.

"Anak? What was that?" "Dad, I need the car," I said firmly. Understanding the tone of urgency in my voice, he gave me the keys and I rushed to the garage. In what seemed like no time at all, I was hitting the road at 100 kph. Kaliwa't kanang busina at mura ang natanggap ko but I couldn't care less. All I wanted was to reach Ria at the soonest possible time After parking, I dashed inside the bar, looking for Elle and Ria. "Nice shorts, Dude!" sigaw sa akin nung babaeng lasing. Two tables behind her, I saw Elle helping Ria into a chair. Agad ako lumapit sa kanila. "Get off, dammit," Ria was saying. "Kaya ko tong mag-isa!" Elle patiently helped her sit properly, as though she had not heard a thing.

"Elle"

"Oh thank goodness, you're here"

"Is she okay?"

"Masyado siyang maraming nainom. Those DLA jerks got her into it."

Napatingin ako kay Ria, and the state she was in made me crumble to pieces. It was pity and hurt at the same fcuking time.

Her face was tear-streaked, her hair was disheveled, clothes unkempt. One of the straps of her top was hanging loosely on her shoulder and I adjusted it right back. Her eyes, only half-open, focused on me.

"Tara, sayaw tayo," she said, pulling my hand. She didn't appear to recognize who I was.

Every fiber of my resolve dissolved into nothingness. My eyes stung but I blinked the tears right back, not wanting to look so pathetic. GOD. I couldn't look at her it hurts.

"Ria, we're going home."

"AYOKO NGA! Bakit, nanay ba kita para pauwiin mo ko?! Sino ka ba?"

"Ria, it's me. Elle."

"Elle? Wala akong kilalang Elle. Di kita kilala. Get away from me!"

"Screw Liam," said Elle as we struggled with Ria, who was fighting to get back onto the dance floor.

"Hey, did you just say Liam?" Ria asked thickly, her face changing into a blank expression. She suddenly stopped flailing, her mouth breaking into a hopeful grin. "Is he coming for me?" she asked. SH.T. Di ko na kaya to "That son of a b.tch. I loved him. And this is what I get," she whispered. "We'll get to him. Let's go home, Ria. PLEASE," I said, pleading. "Sayaw muna tayo," she said, standing up. She swayed left and right, tapos napasubsob siya saken. She looked up at me. "Wala na siyang pake saken he doesn't care at all But you" she said, jabbing my chest with a finger. "You do care, don't you?" she asked, and I wasn't able to hold back that single tear that fell down my right cheek. Elle looked at me pityingly. "Yeah, I do, Ria. I care for you." I told her, my voice broken. "Great to hear that," she said, attempting to stand up again. "Oh, teka, before I forget What's your name again?"

But she didn't give me time to reply. She went dizzy and with a great sway, she landed facefirst on my chest, her eyes closed. She had passed out.

I furiously wiped my face, then secured one arm around her waist, the other on her legs, then I carried her palabas ng bar, with Elle following us.

I laid Ria on the backseat, and Elle got in after her. I got my jacket that was tucked into the small compartment on the dashboard and handed it to Elle.

"Cover her up."

Elle did as she was told and we sped off. We were quiet for the rest of the journey. Once in a while I gave Elle a small smile as she cuddled Ria like a sister, her arm protectively wrapped around Ria's shoulder.

DING! DONG!

Si Elle ang nagdoorbell habang binubuhat ko si Ria palabas ng kotse.

"Good evening po"

"And what sort of devil brings you here?"

Lumapit ako, and Ate Danna's face immediately changed. "Oh my god! What happened?"

"Naglasing siya. She passed out. Marami na siyang nainom."

"Elle came to her rescue, then she called me para mahatid ko."

Ate Danna was considerably warmer towards Elle after that.

"Mom, Jon and Maffy are still out trying to find her. Would you mind bringing her upstairs?"

"No, not at all."

We went upstairs and Ate Danna led us to Ria's room. Pagdating naming doon, nilapag ko na si Ria sa kama niya. Then I covered her with a blanket.

"Naku, wag na wag magpapakita sa akin yang si Liam," sabi ni Ate Danna as she sat in the side of the bed. Nagkatinginan kami ni Elle.

"Alam mo na?"

"Yea. Jon told me."

I felt guilty about not telling her. "Ate, I" I started, but she cut me off.

"Oh, don't be silly. You're not supposed to say sorry it's bad enough na naabala ka namin" she said, lapsing into a thoughtful silence. We all watched Ria sleeping peacefully "Sige Ate, tuloy na kami. May pasok pa bukas," sabi ni Elle.

"Wait," said Ate Danna. She stood up and gave each of us a short hug. "Thanks a lot. Kung wala kayong dalawa kung saan na siguro pinulot tong si Ria"

"That's ok," said Elle, looking heartily relieved.

"Alam mo, sana ikaw na lang naging boyfriend ng kapatid ko. She's so much better off with a guy like you"

Natameme ako.

"Oo nga Ate eh. Sana lang" "Tara na," sabi ni Elle.

"Hatid ko na kayo palabas"

Chapter Thirty

Gelos POV:

Buti nandito ka na ulit. Sayo lang kasi nakikinig yan e.

I could smell the mushroom soup na kumukulo na dun sa kaserolang hinahalo ng Mom ni Irish. Hapon na, kakagaling ko lang ng school. Absent na naman kasi si Rish and I decided to pay her a visit. Actually, pareho sila ni Ria na hindi pumasok kanina, but I kinda felt that Rishs need was greater just now. Baka pag may time pa mamaya, puntahan ko rin si Ria. Hindi ko kasi alam kung gusto niya rin akong makita

Bakit po? Shes mad at me.

Dahil dahil doon?

Irishs mom gave me an oddly significant look and nodded.

Ayaw kumain. Ayaw ng gamot she wouldnt even talk to me. Not even to eh kahit pinuntahan na nga siya dito

We fell quiet yet again.

Ang tigas ng ulo niyan, ewan ko ba. Si Lance din nga, nakailang punta na e akala ko pa naman ok sila. Ayun, ni hindi hinarap. Nahihiya na nga ako dun sa bata. Nag-aaksaya ng gasolina tapos ganun pa yung madadatnan. Kausapin mo nga, baka matauhan.

Sige po, ako na bahala.

Dinala ko na yung tray upstairs. Second Door to the left Kumatok ako. Wala.

Rish?

Lance, I am NOT in the mood for

No Rish. Its Gelo.

Then there were hurried footsteps, the door flew open and she almost threw herself at me, only noticing the tray I was holding at the last moment.

Ok, save it. Ayoko pang malapnos ulit. Sorry, she said with a laugh, and she let me inside her room.

It was warm and welcoming; there was a bit of sunlight seeping in through the partly-open window. I laid the tray doon sa study table niya, where a wide variety of things were untidily stacked; books, papers, pens, pictures. Plastered all over her mirror were more polaroids; of her, Elle, her mom and Lance.

Pumunta daw dito si Lance ah, di mo daw hinarap.

Eh sa ayoko eh, she said, sitting on the bed and crossing her arms. I stared at her, trying to make myself look stern.

Hes your boyfriend, stupid. Hes supposed to be worried about you. Pasalamat ka nga naiisipan kang dalawin dito kahit wala naming napapala.

Oo, dadalaw nga, mangangamusta makikipag-usap tapos ano? Aawayin na naman ako

Away? At anong kalokohan naman ang pinag-aawayan niyo?

Ikaw.

I exasperatedly let out a sigh.

Ako.

Oo. Ang kitid naman kasi ng utak nun. Pinipilit sabihin na hobby mo ang mang-agaw ng girlfriend kaya I should stay away from you.

Ano ka ba. Malamang. Di naman kasi niya alam. And honestly speaking, kung ako nasa lugar niya, mababaliw din ako kakaselos. Hay nako. Bahala siya. Kamusta na school?

Change topic much?

She threw me a pillow.

Ano ba!

Eh kasi naman e! Musta na nga kasi sa school?

I spared her a glare.

Ayun. Ganun pa rin. Di nga pumasok si Ria e.

Balita ko binugbog daw ni Jon si Liam dahil ke Ria

Sinuntok lang naman ng isa.

Sus. Ang dapat kay Liam binibitay.

Trust me, Im going to do that one day.

Well at least. Wala nang sagabal. Liams out of the way and you could move in.

Buti kung ganun lang kadali yun. You should have seen her face. I couldnt get it out of my head.

You mean you cant get HER out of your head.

Binato ko pabalik yung unan sa kanya.

Dude! Maysakit ako! Youre not supposed to throw pillows at me!

Lul!

Haha. Nakakamiss ka rin pala. Miss mo ko ng lagay na to?

Oo naman. Wala kasing makausap dito sa bahay.

Bakit kasi ayaw mo daw kausapin yung mom mo?

She threw me a dirty look.

Are you seriously asking me that question? Alam mo naman ang sagot.

Pero bakit ako, kinakausap mo?

Shungaks ka pala e. It wasnt your fault that she lied to me.

That doesnt change the fact na involved pa rin ako sa sitch na to.

Yes, youre involved. Pero hindi kita kelangan idamay.

Halika nga dito, sabi ko, at hinila ko yung chair ng study table niya para dun na siya umupo at kumain. Masunurin naman siya at lumapit.

They have just been looking for the right time. The right chance.

Siguro, kung di pa nagkaganito Sshhh, I said, and I locked her in nto a hug.

Dont know what Id do withoutt you, Gelo.

Basta. Andito lang ako lagi.

Rias POV:

Ria! Yoohoo!

Jon had been knocking on my door ffor the past 5 minutes. I was trying to seem like Im a asleep. Come on, open the door! You ca ant hide forever!

Haha. He must be really worried abo out me. Napapa-english si Jonathan ng di oras

Sayang, may dala pa naman akoong peanut butter donuts! Sige ka, kakainin laha at to ni Maffy saka ni Ate Danna!

Shut up, Jon! Yeah, shut up!

Naku, at hindi pa pala siya nag-iisa dun sa labas. Tatlo pa sila.

Ria! Please come out. Ang init d dito sa hallway noh!

I stifled a laugh and got my big butt t out of bed. I looked in the mirror and saw how terrib ble I looked. Siguro, kahit si Gelo pa ang makakita saken ngay yon, hed go running as fast as he can in the opposite direction.

Ang gulo ng buhok ko, my eyes are swollen, and Im in my lousiest set of pajamas. Ang n nagpalit pa pala saken kagabi pagkahatid saken ni Gelo at Elle eh si Ate.

I wondered how people would think of me pagbalik ko sa school. I bet my little escapade sa Rave is something Elle would sensationalize. Siguro, may p pics pa siyang pinakalat. Much like how she had showe ed everyone those pics of Liam and all those girls

Liam. That jerk. I hate his guts.

It was then that I realized na naka-ppost all over my mirror ang pics naming dalawa. Tiningnan ko lahat yun. Pati sa beds side table ko, may picture din kaming naka-frame. Gra abe Hindi ko talaga akalain

But it wasnt as painful as it was yes sterday. After all, it was just two weeks. TWO O MEASLY WEEKS. Can you believe it? Two measly we eeks of false bliss. One by one, I tore those pictures aw way. I knew I had to.

Hoy Jon! Wag mo nga kainin ya an!

Natawa ako sa kanila as I threw the e pics into the trash bin. For a moment, I had this craz zy urge to get them back ADRIANNA, we know youre aw wake. If you dont open this, we WILL.

Teka lang. kilala ko yung boses na y yun ah. Pero hindi pwede I gotta open thatt door!

DAD! Oh my?!

I immediately went to hug him. I co ouldnt believe it.

Haynaku Dad, kung alam lang n namin na ikaw ang makakapagpalabas diyan

Sorry guys Dad, Whatre you doing here?! Well, my friends and I had decided to take a little vacation, nauna lang sila... Maraming delays Pero sakto din lang pala ang dating ko. Theyve told me my little girl needs me.

Little girl. Oh how I missed that.

Yeah, you bet I do, Dad.

O, you knew you needed help, ni hindi mo pinagbuksan tong mga to. Dumayo pa nga itong si Jon sa malayo para lang ibili ka ng paborito mo.

Sorry about that

Bumaba na kami sa living room.

Akala namin di ka na lalabas.

Well I was asleep until Jon came knocking.

Aba, natural bubulabugin na kita. Eh kung hindi ka na nagising, edi

Jonathan!

Oh come on Maffy, he was kidding!

At nagtawanan kaming lahat.

So. What do you want me to do with Liam?

Nah. Im not interested. I could give him a good old wedgie Ate Danna suggested.

OR we could ignore him for the rest of his life.

Yeah, him and Denise.

Whats Denise got to do with this?

Oh nothing. Jon, you funny little guy I said, sabay kurot.

Fine, if you dont want to tell me Oh well, Dannas just been telling me shes taught you how to drive.

Yea. And shes such a fast learner, Dad. Well see about that. How about you take that little baby outside for a drive? tanong ng Dad ko, handing me a key. Dali-dali akong lumabas. Outside the gates was a brand-new Mazda 3.

Oh MY akin na to?

Ayaw mo?

But hey, my birthdays like three months from now.

And so? Its never too early. Go put on a jacket or something. I dont think they allow people to drive around in their PJs. Oh thanks Dad!

Dalian mo! Sasama kami!

Well it took me less than a minute to find a decent jacket, and in moments we were off.

Jon, bakit ka ba pinanganak na madaldal?!

Sorry, I thought your Dad should be in with us.

Well he is. But when he finds out, Denisell get chucked out of the house.

Believe me, that would make us MUCH better off.

Ate!

Well its true, Ria! I mean, I cant even imagine how you could still defend her like that! Kung ano ano ninanakaw niya sayo She steals your clothes, your bags, your shoes, and now shes nicked your boyfriend.

Correction: EX-boyfriend. And to be perfectly honest, I dont even care anymore. They can do it in front of me and Ill go watch them while munching on popcorn.

Parang totoo.

Maffy!

Ria, were on the wrong lane!

Sorry.

Then out of nowhere, may lumabas na black na kotse, which, I was sure, would be crashing right into us in less than ten seconds sa sobrang bilis.

SH.T! I told you were in the wrong lane!

Hes overspeeding!

I quickly steered my car out of the way, and succeeded in bringing it to a full stop. Sabay sabay kaming lima na sumubsob paharap

Sorry, are you guys okay?

Yea. Were alright

And then we heard a distant crash.

Oh sh.t!

Teka lang, kilala ko yung kotse na yun ah!

Tara puntahan natin dali!

Dali-dali kaming lumabas at pumunta sa kinaroroonan nung black car. Someone familiar stepped out of it, cursing loudly.

Sabi ko na nga ba e Lance!

Lance looked up at us, with his signature angas, nose-in-the-air look. He was wearing aviator shades. Sheesh. Wala na namang araw naka-shades pa.

Jon, were you the one driving? he asked furiously. No.

I was the one driving. Sorry, I said half-heartedly. Damn. I detest him.

Nice PJs. Bagong gising? No wonder you were on the wrong lane.

Pucha! G.go to a!

Well Im sorry. Im not exactly an expert driver. Well hindi pa ganun ka-expert para mag-over speeding sa loob ng subdivision. Oh how smart! Tell me, anong mas illegal? Mag 90 kph sa subdivision o magdrive sa maling lane? Yeah, have I mentioned wearing PJs while driving isnt exactly legal either?

My pajamas are none of your business.

Dont get me wrong, dearie. Im not trying to make a business out of them; theyre horrible. OKAY! Stop it, both of you.

Pano na to?

Malamang, dalhin mo sa talyer!

Talyer?! Are you kidding?! Can you see all this damage?!

We went to look; yung harap lang namang part ng kotse niya yung medyo nagasgas. How gay, ang liit nung gasgas and he was whining like a grandma.

Samahan ka na lang namin sa repair shop.

Wag na. Baka lalo akong madisgrasya!

And with that he went back to his car and drove off. Tss. Buwisit.

Chapter Thirty One

Rias POV:

To the C, To the A, To the V-A-L-I-E-R-S! To the PRRRRRRRRT!!!

Napatigil kami sa gitna ng routine, akala kasi namin, si Maam yung nag-whistle. Napatayo si Maam sa kinakaupuan niya.

Girls, what

DAMN IT, LIAM! PAY ATTENTION!

Napatingin kami lahat sa isang spot malapit sa goal net na tinuro ni Coach, and there was Liam, sitting on the ground, clutching his face. A huge, violently purple bruise on his jaw was visible. It looked like the ball had hit him right in that spot of his face na sinasabi nilang tinamaan ng suntok ni Jon nung isang araw.

Hah. I couldnt care less.

As Maam Vicky signaled a water break, some of us went outside the stadium, habang ang iba naman nagpaiwan na lang. Hindi pa rin tumatayo si Liam habang papunta ako sa bag ko para kumuha ng tubig. Sumenyas na rin si Coach na magkakaroon din ng break yung soccer players. Liam, clinic. Now, he ordered. I saw Gelo, who was also standing near the goal post. Nilapitan niya si Liam at inoffer niya yung kamay niya para makatayo. Liam threw him a look of disgust and stood up on his own. He stormed away from the stadium habang hawak pa rin yung panga niya.

Napailing na lang ako. AY SHOOT, bakit wala ng laman yung jug ko?

Naknampatola naman o. Ang layo pa nung bilihan ng inumin e. Oh well, parang wala naman akong choice. Hey, I heard someone say. I turned to face who it was, and saw Elle standing in front of me, handing me a bottle ng Fit and Right. Wow, ayos. Apple flavor, favorite ko. I looked at the bottle longingly, not sure if I should take it or not. Oh come on, take it. Hindi ko naman yan nilagyan ng lason, said Elle, smiling slightly.

Thanks, sabi ko, tapos kinuha ko yung inaabot niya. Nagkatinginan lang kami tapos tumalikod na siya. I hesitated, but my brains got the better of me. Hey, sabi ko, taking a tentative step towards her. She paused for a moment, as though she was expecting it, tapos humarap siya saken, trying to keep an impassive face. About the other night I I wanted to say thanks, I said, stammering.

Ah, yun ba? Well thats aright. I mean, pambawi lang for everything I did, you know.

Youve more than made up for it. And thanks din kasi walang nakaalam na kahit sino.

As its me and Gelo, hindi mo naman talaga dapat asahan na instant celebrity ka pagbalik mo ng school. You dont seriously think ipagsasabi namin, diba?

Of course not.

And then it was like the worlds gone mad. As though on instinct, both of us pulled together for a hug. I felt that the wall between us, supported by years of mutual animosity, had melted just like that. Kausapin mo rin si Gelo ha, she told me as we pulled away. Oo naman. I owe him one.

O, ayun na o, puntahan mo.

May tinuro siya sa likod ko, and sure enough there was Gelo, naglalakad palabas ng stadium. Sinundan ko siya. Hoy, Gelo, I said as I caught up with him. When he saw me, his face broke into a wide smile.

O! Musta?

Pwede mo kong samahan sa locker? Oo ba! he said, looking delighted. He punched my shoulder. Ok ka na ba? I mean Eh sabi niya, tapos parang nagsisi siya na sinabi niya pa yun. Oo naman, ano ka ba. Tamo nga, in fighting form na ko ulit e. Go Cavs! I shouted, my voice ringing into the corridor.

Pansin ko nga, todo sayaw ka kanina, kahit ang tigas-tigas ng katawan mo.

Pinalo ko siya ng malakas, and the next thing I know, we were laughing hysterically. Yabang mo ah.

Ano ba, nagbibiro lang ako. Ang galing galing mo nga e.

Sus.

Dude, para ka namang ewan e. Pintasan kita ayaw mo. Praise kita, ayaw mo pa rin. Alam mo, sala ka sa init, sala ka sa lamig.

Yeah thats me. Sala sa init, sala sa lamig. And more often that not, patanga-tanga rin.

An awkward silence fell between us.

Nga pala. Gusto ko nga pala mag thank you

Sus, wala yun.

Alam mo, kung wala kayo ni Elle, ewan ko kung saan na ko pinulot.

Basta wag mo na uulitin yun ha?

Oo naman. Ano ba pinag-gagawa ko dun? I asked him. He looked at me, his face a bit pale.

Eh, teka may natatandaan ka bang kahit ano nung gabing yun?

Wala naman Kaya ko nga tinatanong e, sabi ko. To my astonishment, he looked deeply relieved.

Eh well, hindi ka naman sobrang nagwala e he said, though his face said otherwise. I knew he was just saying that to make me feel better.

Sigurado ka?

Oo. Teka ano ba kukunin mo sa locker?

Yung jacket mo.

Ay oo nga noh?

Tahimik kami until we reached my locker. Kinuha ko yung jacket sa loob and handed it to him.

O, nilabhan saka plinantsa ko pa yan ha. Ikaw mismo naglaba? he asked. Oo. Bakit? I asked, curious. Para kasing natutuwa siyang ewan.

Ha? Eh wala lang. Akalain ko bang marunong ka palang maglaba.

Ewan ko sayo. Ah, teka, if you want mauna ka na sa stadium. I need to go to the ladies room.

Sige. Thanks ha?

Thanks din.

Then, naglakad na ako papunta sa CR. Pagliko ko sa isa pang corridor, I heard angry voices.

Hindi ka pa ba uuwi?

Sabi ko naman sayo, wag mo na ko hintayin e. Eh sa gusto ko e, bakit ba?

I heard another angry sigh.

Alam mo, umuwi ka na, kaysa binubuwisit mo ko dito.

Eh sino maghahatid sayo pauwi? Ganun, porke nandito si Gelo di mo na ko kailangan

Lance, ayan ka na naman, tigilan mo nga ako.

Why, isnt it true? I know hes the reason why youre acting so effing weird all of a sudden. Its like youre trying to make yourself distant or something. Are you doing it on purpose?

There you go with your stupid conclusions. Eto piso. Maghanap ka ng kausap mo ha?

Damn it, Rish. I dont get it. Then dont! Its too much for your brain to process, isnt it?

What did I do to you?!

Just, UGH! Just leave me alone, damn it! shouted Rish, walking away. Lance followed her.

You know what, if you simply want out because you want someone else, you could just tell me. Nagmumukha akong !@#$ nito e!

Rish turned sharply to face him, her face livid.

You know what, I think thats a brilliant idea.

My jaw dropped. Natulala ako sa expression ng mukha ni Lance habang naglalakad palayo si Rish. I couldnt help but think that he really deserved it. His inflated ego was just too much for anyone to handle. Sa kakaisip ko, hindi ko napansin na humarap na pala siya saken. His expression changed, and as I tried to walk away

HOY!

I went on walking. Ang kapal ng mukha nito ha, pa hoy hoy pa! Dude, Im talking to you! he yelled. Oh yeah? I was under the impression that a chimp had just gone loose and started to shout hoy.

Very smart.

I didnt hear anything, okay? I said, but the guilty screech in my voice gave it all anyway. His lips curled into the smirk I SO hated.

Its not that. I mean, Im so used to people talking about me and my life anyway.

ABAH! Takte, kapal ah!

So whatre you trying to?

Remember what you did to my car the other day?

To your CAR? Oh damn, from what I remember, I wasnt the one driving it.

Oo nga, but it was all your fault. And YOU KNOW IT. Whatever. Hey! You HAVE to pay me, dude!

Pay you? I said with an awful laugh. For what? Do those scratches cost a million bucks each?

Hindi lang basta gasgas yun. The rim was super damaged, and those scratches you saw, they were just a fraction of it.

Eh ano ngayon?

Dude, the repairs cost me 10 thousand bucks. And I couldnt take it to school kasi hanggang ngayon nasa talyer pa rin.

Kawawa ka naman, pero alam mo kasi, hindi naman nakakamatay ang mag jeep at mag trycicle e!

Thats not the point.

No, actually, I got the point clearly. And my answer is NO, Im not paying you back.

And after that, nilayasan ko na siya.

Gelos POV:

Sa wakas, dinismiss din kami. At ang masaya, kasabay namin dinismiss yung cheerleaders. Nilapitan ako ni Elle habang nag-aayos ako ng gamit.

O? Nagkausap na kayo?

Oo.

Bat parang kilig na kilig ka? Malamang. Tingnan mo o, nilabhan niya yung jacket ko.

Oh-kayy.

Grabe, ang bango. Alam mo, ipapa-frame ko to.

Sige. Tas i-display mo sa museum ha?

Eto naman, he said, pouting.

Hey, may ikukwento ko sayo.

Ano naman?

Kaninang lunch Liam tried to win Ria back. Kinabahan ako bigla.

O? Ano nangyari?

Well as usual, Liam was working the charm. Kumpleto with the luhod effect.

Anong sabi ni Ria?

Ngumiti si Elle.

O bakit parang kabang-kaba ka?

Naman e! Nambibitin pa! Well, Ria said she was touched and all.

And? I asked, hoping na may karugtong pa.

She was touched and all. Pero sabi niya rin, kung ayaw daw ni Liam na madagdagan pa yung pasa niya, eh magsimula na daw siyang tumakbo palayo.

I laughed, feeling relieved.

So ano? Ihahatid mo na si Rish?

Oo. Sama ka?

Wag na. Makaistorbo pa ko, she said meaningfully. She shot me a significant look. Is there something you two are not telling me?

I avoided her eyes.

Sus. Ano ka ba, tara na nga.

Chapter Thirty Two

Part 1

Maffys POV:

Huy! Dalian mo! Ayan na yung mga bus!

Woo! Retreat na namin. As usual, eto na naman kami, sinisigawan na naman ni Ria si Ate Danna na nagda-drive. Papunta pa lang kasi kami sa school.

Bakit ka ba atat? Hindi naman kayo iiwanan niyan!

Kahit na, nakakahiya kaya yung ikaw na lang ang hinihintay!

Sino naman ang may sabi sayong ikaw lang? Ayan si Maffy o, dalawa kayo.

Natawa na lang ako sa sinabi ni Ate. Si Ria mas sumimangot at hindi na lang nagsalita. Pag kasi si Ate Danna ang kausap mo, talagang namimilosopo.

Tsaka si Denise, diba iniwan natin sa bahay? Kung may maiiwan man ng bus, siya yun, added Ate Danna wit